PATH Uses SMS Data Alerts to Help End Malaria in Zambia

PATH's innovative approach in Zambia is utilizing SMS data alerts to help end malaria by providing a community surveillance system that triggers targeted responses when a positive malaria case is detected. The organization has partnered with Twilio to implement Viz Alerts, an open-source Python script that identifies data gaps and prompts health workers to submit missing reports via SMS. This initiative has led to a significant reduction in missing report volume, with a 21% decrease across 200 health facilities. By leveraging technology and community engagement, PATH aims to further improve the data collection process and expand its efforts to other provinces in Zambia.