Public Health Ministry presented the SMS-based technique on November 5, 2014 in Yaounde.
Information from the Ministry of Public Health indicates that the majority of women in Cameroon do not master their menstrual cycles. The Director of Family Health at the Ministry of Public Health, Professor Robinson Mbu also reiterates that some 30 per cent of women do not even know their fertile period.
It is within this backdrop that the Ministry of Public Health, through its Secretary General, Professor Sinata Koulla-Shiro, yesterday, November 5, 2014 launched a new tool, “Calculateur 28” with the collaboration of Newtech Afrik Cameroon and NETYX Gabon. According to the inventor of “Calculateur 28”, Paul Franck Indjendjet Gondjout, there are two tools involved; a software called “LOG 28” and hardware called “CAL 28”.
The inventor explained that with a telephone airtime of FCFA 100, any woman who wants to better master her menstrual cycle could send an SMS to the number 8198. If the SMS is in the English language, the sender will begin by writing PERIOD followed by the date of her last menstrual flow and the usual duration of her menses. Seconds after sending this message through any mobile service in the country, the individual will receive a message on the date of her next menstruation, her date of ovulation and another one on the use of condom to fight HIV.
Paul Franck Gondjout explained that “CAL 28” is a measuring ruler through which a woman can know her next menstrual flow and ovulation day. He however added that his company is working with the Ministry of Public Health to seek ways through which “CAL 28” can be produced in mass and made available to all women who need one.
Dr Robinson Mbu said although the tools are not contraceptive methods, they are greatly important because they will help women know when they are fertile, when and when not to have children. In this light, the Director of Family Health said unwanted pregnancies will be avoided; clandestine abortion curbed, while maternal and infant mortality will be better managed.
