Ethiopia unveils SMS based COVID 19 test result notification system

Addis Ababa, September 3, 2020 (FBC) – Ethiopian Public Health Institute announced launch of a new SMS service system that help people who conducted COVID 19 test know their results vial their cell phone.

The system enables people to receive their COVID 19 test results through their cell phone via 8335 Short Message Service, according to the Institute.

Head of Digitization Division at the Public Health Emergency Center at the Institute, Meseud Mohammed said the system has a paramount significance to accelerate notification of COVID 19 results amid the pandemic.

The institute is converting its paper based medical histories in to digital information to better enhance its service delivery, the director said.

People who conduct laboratory tests could receive coronavirus result notifications within 3 hours after they give samples for the diagnosis through the new system, he noted.

Activities are also underway to launch a system that will help medical professionals working in COVID 19 treatment centers to inform the institute about symptoms seen in coronavirus patients.