Expectant mothers can now use their cellphones to get information on their pregnancy and health - and to complain about poor service at their local clinic.
A cellphone service called MomConnect was launched by the Department of Health yesterday, with 65 pregnant women immediately signing up.
The department plans to register 1.2million pregnant women for the service, through which they will receive SMSes encouraging them to start antenatal care early and to test for hypertension, HIV/Aids and diabetes.
Launching MomConnect in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said the messages would focus on what to do and what not to do during pregnancy.
Women would receive messages for up to a year after giving birth.
"At any time the women can text us to ask us questions and ... to either compliment or complain about a health worker or a facility. I believe this will empower patients and move the entire health system to provide good-quality care," he said.
The first two years of the locally developed service will be funded by donors, including the US.
To register for MomConnect, dial *134*550# on any cellphone.
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