">Forum Views () 
">Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'  
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
  
 
  
Navigation
Primary Navigation
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
 
 
Search
 
 
Search:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 AFP - Thursday, February 19
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - - Not content with offering calls, texts and Internet access, the mobile phone industry is convinced it can help save lives and offer health services to millions worldwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
  
The idea of a phone serving as a "doctor in your pocket" has gained traction at the industry's biggest trade show, the Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona.
Among a slew of possible applications in poor countries, insiders stressed the potential for the mobile phone to remind people to get vaccinations, take medicine, or undergo HIV tests.
Doctors and nurses working at distance from hospitals or clinics can also use mobile connections to relay information on local patients or report disease outbreaks.
"When you consider that there are 2.2 billion mobile phones in the developing world, 305 million computers but only 11 million hospital beds you can instantly see how mobiles can creat effective solutions to address healthcare challenges," said Terry Kramer, strategy director at British operator Vodafone.
The Rockefeller Foundation, the UN Foundation and The Vodafone Foundation announced the Mobile Health (mHealth) Alliance this week, a partnership to advance the use of mobile technology in healthcare.
The UN and Vodafone also released a study, "mHealth for Development: The Opportunity of Mobile Technology for Healthcare in the Developing World," detailing 51 programmes in 26 countries.
The biggest adopters are India with 11 projects and South Africa and Uganda with six each.
"Innovative technology could reduce the pressure on public healthcare systems," Daniel Carucci, vice-president of health at the UN Foundation, told delagates here.
In Uganda, for example, a multiple choice quiz about HIV/AIDS was sent to 15,000 subscribers on the Celtel network in a rural region, inviting them to answer questions and seek tests.
Users who completed the quiz were given free airtime and each time they answered a question wrong they received a message informing them of the correct response.
At the end of the quiz, a final SMS was sent to motivate participants to go for voluntary testing and counseling at a local health centre.
Slightly less than one in five responded and the number of people who went for testing at the centre increased from 1,000 to 1,400 during a six-week period, the report said.
In another example given in the report, health workers in the Amazonas state of Brazil began filling in surveys last October on their mobile phones on incidences of the mosquito-borne dengue fever.
"The devices are providing us with precision (and) the information we need to develop (effective responses) in the areas where the infection levels are high," Luzia de Melo Mustafa, an Amazonas health agent is quoted as saying.
In Mexico, a medical hotline called MedicallHome was launched in 1998 to provide for people without access to a doctor. They can ring or send an SMS to ask for advice.
"Sixty percent of the time, you can replace the doctor," Pedro Yrigoyen, co-founder of MedicallHome told delegates here, highlighting the fact that mobile phones outnumber fixed lines in Mexico by five-to-one.
"Public healthcare is overwhelmed... people wait for hours just to see the doctor."
Elizabeth Boehm, an analyst at research group Forrester, sees the potential for mobile phones to help in public health information campaigns, but also points out limitations.
"One of the main challenges, in mobile health, is that people who are most in need of healthcare are usually more aged, so they don't use the mobile or they're not comfortable with it," she told AFP.
In the developed world, researchers are also looking for ways to harness mobile technology.
In several countries, diabetes sufferers can measure their blood sugar level with a device connected to a mobile phone which sends the data to doctors to verify.
Other applications are seen for monitoring people with heart problems or Alzheimer's disease.
In the United States, a service called "Foodphone" enables a user to take a photo of his or her food before a meal and send it to an expert who replies with information about the nutritional value.
 
 
 
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
 
 
   
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
  
Related Articles: Internet Portals & Search Engines
Lance Armstrong's stolen bicycle recoveredAFP - Thursday, February 19
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'AFP - Thursday, February 19
New service unmasks blocked telephone callsAFP - Thursday, February 19
AMD stockholders approve Abu Dhabi investmentAFP - Thursday, February 19
Related Articles: Technology
Lance Armstrong's stolen bicycle recoveredAFP - Thursday, February 19
US-TECH SummaryReuters - Thursday, February 19
Few report hitches as digital TV switch beginsReuters - Thursday, February 19
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'AFP - Thursday, February 19
T-Mobile USA tests $50 unlimited call planReuters - Thursday, February 19
 
 
 
 
 
 Enlarge Photo
 
Vittorio Colao CEO of Vodafone attends a conference during the Mobile World Congress (GSMA) in Barcelona, on February 17. The Rockefeller Foundation, the UN Foundation and The Vodafone Foundation announced the Mobile Health (mHealth) Alliance this week, a partnership to advance the use of mobile technology in healthcare.
 
 
 
Related Photos
 
 
 
Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Personal Technology
 
 
 
 
Related Full Coverage
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Internet Portals & Search Engines
 
Latest development in the online world
 
 
All Full Coverage
 
 
 
 
Most Popular – Technology
 
 
 
 
 
 Viewed
 
 
 
 
UBS admits US tax fraud, to identify scofflaw clients
 
 
Seductive chemicals hidden in sloppy kisses
 
 
Andean glaciers 'could disappear': World Bank
 
 
US states may axe executions to cut costs
 
 
17,000 US troops to Afghanistan: Obama
 
 
View Complete List »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
 
   
 
Other News on Thursday, 19 February 2009 Karzai expects reduced tensions with U.S.
| International
|  
Russia, Georgia agree plan to avoid new clashes
| International
|  
Sarkozy tries to avert unrest with new aid plans
| International
|  
Mexican drug gang menace spreads in Guatemala
| International
|  
Israel's Peres begins consulting parties on PM
| International
|  
Two professors theorize on bin Laden hideout
| International
|  
Helicopter carrying 18 crashes off Scotland
| International
|  
North Dakota House Passes Measure To Ban Abortion  
Telecoms industry gets real in Barcelona
| Technology
|  
Texas Wary Of Strings Attached On Stimulus Money  
Update: Obama Unveils $75 Billion Foreclosure Plan To Help Homeowners  
Asia's shoppers go online as Internet barriers fall
| Technology
|  
Feb 18 Highlights Of Low Points In U.S. Economy  
Formal brain exercise won't help healthy seniors: research
| Technology
|  
Third Earthquake In Three Weeks Strikes New Jersey  
Telecoms executives keep faith in emerging markets
| Technology
|  
Arkansas Lawmakers Propose Raising State Minimum Wage To Federal Levels  
Albuquerque, NM Police Find Mysterious Sixth Set Of Human Bones  
Verizon picks Alcatel-Lucent for network
| Technology
|  
Maryland Governor Opposed To State Senate President's Plan To Put Slot Machines At Airport  
Clinton Arrives In Jakarta; Criticizes Myanmar's Military Junta  
Chipmakers seek growth in small devices
| Technology
|  
Scientists Warn Of Water Level, Temperature Rise Around New York Area  
DTV coupon backlog seen gone within weeks
| Technology
|  
Oscar for Ledger would go to daughter Matilda
| Entertainment
|  
Judge rejects Polanski's bid to reopen sex case
| Entertainment
|  
Famous Ethiopian singer has jail term cut
| Entertainment
|  
Albuquerque, NM Police Find Mysterious Sixth Set Of Human Bones  
Israel says no cease-fire until soldier comes home  
Egyptian authorities free opposition leader Nour  
Correction: Iraq exhibit story  
US state's 'personhood' law would hit birth control: opponents  
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush due in court  
Fed sees US contraction, moves toward inflation goal  
NATO revisits Afghan strategy as US troops ready to deploy  
Obama unveils 275 billion dollar housing plan  
Egypt frees political dissident Ayman Nur  
UBS admits US tax fraud, to identify scofflaw clients  
Israel's Peres begins vetting parties for PM pick  
Sarkozy unveils benefits package to stem protests  
Palestinian unity talks delayed: Egypt  
Stanford probe puts cricket chiefs on defensive  
Jewish leaders: Punish UAE for banning tennis star  
Brown calls for 'grand bargain' at G20 summit  
Obama says mortgage program to help up to nine million  
Rape, war, climate to top UN chief's African tour  
Brazil climate change threatens top coffee crop  
Russia: global warming to cause droughts, floods  
Geronimo's Family Sues U.S. Gov't, Yale University, Secret Society To Recover Famous Apache's Remains  
Obama heads to Canada  
NASA, ESA Set Exploration Of Jupiter Moons  
Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at Bush goes on trial  
Appeals Court: Chinese Muslim Detainees From Gitmo Can't Transfer To U.S.  
'Tough year' ahead in Afghanistan: US general  
Jury Rules Philip Morris Must Pay $8M Damages To Widow, Son Of Chain Smoker  
Counter-Narcotics Row Leads To Expulsion Of Second U.S. Diplomat In Ecuador  
US commander: Troops 'stalemated' in Afghanistan  
Lance Armstrong's stolen bicycle recovered  
Search Yields No Avalanche Victims At Mountain Ski Resort  
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 580  
President Obama Not Interested In Re-Instating Fairness Doctrine  
US-TECH Summary  
Louisiana Gov. May Not Want All The Stimulus Money For His State  
Lawmakers: US must enforce assault-gun import ban  
Few report hitches as digital TV switch begins  
Wall Street Finishes Flat As Stocks Fail To Rally On Relief Efforts  
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'  
Canadian Liberal Leaders Meet Obama On Thursday  
T-Mobile USA tests $50 unlimited call plan  
HP reports 13 pct drop in net profit, lowers outlook  
French forces come under fire on Guadeloupe  
New service unmasks blocked telephone calls  
18 rescued after helicopter drops into North Sea  
AMD stockholders approve Abu Dhabi investment  
Facebook reverses course on privacy policy  
Berlusconi death flight 'joke' opens Argentina row  
Formal "brain exercise" won't help healthy seniors: research  
Czech lower house approves EU's Lisbon Treaty  
Mobile phones aim to be a 'doctor in your pocket'  
EU's Solana heads for Belarus as relations thaw  
Russia, Georgia take first step on conflict prevention  
Russia, Ukraine in new row over envoy's comments  
Hollywood writers' union pickets "American Idol"  
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career  
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web  
Vietnam and Vatican discuss establishment of ties  
Mickey Rourke loses beloved chihuahua in Oscar week  
Snow business: China enjoys induced snowfall  
Ubisoft to drive "Wheelman" for cash-strapped Midway  
Japanese leader under pressure to resign  
NZ wants action to prevent Antarctic cruise disaster  
China hopes for continuity as Clinton visits  
Philippine gunmen kidnap businessman, daughter  
Underdogs have their day at Oscars  
Asian Development Bank wants capital tripled: president  
Hollywood writers' union pickets "American Idol"  
Taiwan kills 600 pigs to contain foot-and-mouth  
Pakistan repays maturing $500 mln Eurobond  
Small fire at Tracy Morgan's NYC apt.; no injuries  
Clinton hammers Obama message home in Asia  
London takes a fresh look at Le Corbusier  
South Korean won falls for 8th session  
Malaysian politics thrown into further turmoil  
'Sale of the Century' for Saint Laurent art collection  
Seoul shares end down;banks, exporters lead losses  
Japan PM apologises for finance minister debacle  
Small budgets, big dreams at Spirit Awards  
Air China says no additional fuel hedging: report  
CEOs less popular than politicians: poll  
Japan leaves interest rate on hold amid recession  
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career  
China to step up auditing to ensure stability  
Reggaeton star Daddy Yankee touts cologne  
Japan's central bank leaves interest rates on hold  
US-HOLLYWOOD-WEB  
Korea Hot Stocks-LG Display, Daewoo Engineering rise  
WRAPUP 2-South Korea says it can cope with debt burden  
Australia, Indonesia talk trade, illegal migrants  
Clinton says Indonesia shows Islam and modernity coexist  
Geronimo's Family Sues U.S. Gov't, Yale University, Secret Society To Recover Famous Apache's Remains  
Clinton: Obama may want to wait to visit Indonesia  
Zimbabwe To Pay State Workers, Soldiers In U.S. Dollar  
Green Comet Making Closest Approach To Earth On Feb. 24  
Key hawk endorses Netanyahu for Israeli premier  
NATO revisits Afghan strategy as US urges long-term effort  
U.S. lawmakers make rare visit to Hamas-ruled Gaza  
Kyrgyzstan shuts U.S. air base, NATO Afghan help sought
| International
|  
Tupac Shakur's Estate Sued By Movie Company For Backing Out Of Film Agreement  
Aussie Band Men At Work's Guitarist Arrested In LA For Threatening To Kill Lead Singer  
Russia acquits all accused over Politkovskaya murder  
Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest
| International
|  
Tracy Morgan's New York Apartment Scorched By Fire  
North Korea warns of war as Clinton heads for Seoul
| International
|  
Iraqi shoe-thrower defiant as trial adjourned  
US to press allies for more Afghanistan troops  
Bush's icy smile enraged Iraq shoe-thrower
| International
|  
BNP suffers 1.366-bln-euro 4th qtr loss  
US Senator John Kerry visits Gaza  
Kabul eyes control on aid, security in U.S. review
| International
|  
BNP Paribas profit plunges to 3.0 bln euros  
Iraq reporter who threw shoes at Bush goes on trial  
Court acquits 3 of aiding murder of Politkovskaya
| International
|  
Swiss Re posts historic annual loss  
Pakistani Islamists ask Taliban for peace in Swat
| International
|  
North Africa Qaeda posts photos of Western hostages
| International
|  
Bangladesh ferry sinks with 19 dead
| International
|  
Japan PM has support of most party chapters: poll
| International
|  
John Kerry visits Gaza Strip  
Kyrgyzstan MPs approve closure of U.S. air base  
Obama to address protectionist fears on Canada trip  
iPhone features everywhere in rivals' new phones
| Technology
|  
Kerry Leads Congressional Delegation To Gaza; Condemns Hamas  
Mobile advertising edges closer to breakthrough
| Technology
|  
Funds For School Sports May Be Cut Due To Recession  
Whereabouts of detained Egypt blogger unknown: Amnesty
| Technology
|  
Bankrupt New York Retailer Fortunoff Stops Redeeming Gift Cards Without Notice; Customers Angry Over Lost Money  
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web
| Technology
|  
First Lady Celebrates Black History Month With D.C. School Children At White House  
Republicans, Mortgage Bankers Concerned About President's Foreclosure Plan  
Few report hitches as digital TV switch begins
| Technology
|  
Fed Forecasts High Unemployment Until 2011  
Facebook reverses course on privacy policy
| Technology
|  
Kyrgyzstan's Parliament Votes To Evict U.S. From Air Base; Only Military Supply Route For U.S. Troops In Afghanistan Will Be Risky Khyber Pass  
Radical cleric Qatada wins payout for UK detention  
T-Mobile USA tests $50 unlimited call plan
| Technology
|  
Pope Speaks To Pro-Choice Pelosi About 'Dignity Of Human Life'  
New York Post Editorial Cartoon Denounced As Racist  
White House: Illinois Deserves To Know Full Extent Of Burris' Contacts With Blagojevich  
Clinton says NKorean disarmament stalled  
US says NKorea future leadership uncertain  
Warning! Oscar can be bad for your career
| Entertainment
|  
Ferry capsizes in Bangladesh with 60 onboard  
Mickey Rourke loses beloved chihuahua in Oscar week
| Entertainment
|  
Japanese woman impregnated with wrong egg  
U.S. festival spotlights Arab arts and humanity
| Entertainment
|  
Japan scrambles to ease credit crisis  
Uighurs denied release in US: court ruling  
China approves stimulus for light industry  
Oscar for Ledger would go to daughter Matilda
| Entertainment
|  
5 more suspects detained in Beijing hotel fire  
Iran, Afghanistan pledge to boost bilateral trade  
500 Internal Server Error  
China calls on Russia to investigate ship incident  
Thailand's exports plunge amid global downturn  
Thailand hopes new cocktail can lure back tourists  
Bank of Taiwan lowers deposit, savings rates  
N.Korea accuses U.S. of planning nuclear strike  
Hollywood struggles to find wealth on the Web
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistani forex reserves rise to $10.37 bln  
China calls for return of Guantanamo Bay inmates  
Georgians take swipe at Putin with Eurovision entry
| Entertainment
|  
ADB likely to cut 2009 Asian growth forecast  
Small budgets, big dreams at Spirit Awards
| Entertainment
|  
Movie dubber dies, was `voice' of Woody Allen  
Japan leaves interest rate on hold amid recession  
Taiwan dollar at 5-1/2-yr low, more weakness seen  
Coogan catches indie spirit as awards show host  
Legal battle erupts over film rights to Tupac's bio
| Entertainment
|  
Is `Man on Wire' the best film of the year?  
Stiller & Co. prepare for 'Little Fockers'
| Entertainment
|  
'The Rock': No plans to return to wrestling ring  
NY Post cartoon of dead chimpanzee stirs outrage  
Lee in talks to direct 'Life of Pi' adaptation  
AP's Bob Thomas wins lifetime achievement award  
Ledger poised for Oscar win  
Georgia Eurovision entry to poke fun at Putin  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights