UNAIDS Chiefs have shared that mobile phones might just be the next important weapon to fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa.

The Executive Director of the United Nation AIDS group, Michel Sidibe has stressed that these relatively new devices have a huge role to play across the continent, which is currently much affected by health centers which are "inadequate" and have a dilapidated infrastructure.

"You can talk about different policies, about capacity building, but you can't beat this kind of epidemic with facility-based approach only", he said.

A giant operator of mobile telephones in Nigeria is already running a toll-free call program that connects callers directly to counselors so that they can discuss their HIV and AIDS concerns.

Mr. Sidibe has termed the program as a "fantastic initiative". "Its advantage is that you don't have to move from your place to a centre where... you may be stigmatized. You have free communication and quality advice, which can help you take a decision", he said.