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Feb. 16, 2007

Solidly supported by the GSM Association and the U.S. Government, a group of mobile industry companies have joined together to battle HIV and AIDS and other health issues in Africa.

Overall, many mobile phone operators, handset manufacturers and technology companies will work with Ministries of Health and other global health organizations to provide health workers in the field the ability to enter patient data directly into handsets.

Workers will then send it to central databases via GPRS data networks or SMS.

The data can then be mapped and analyzed to help health authorities better direct personnel and other resources.

"The rapid growth of mobile phone networks across the developing world has created a unique opportunity to significantly transform how countries can manage global health challenges," said Dr. Howard Zucker, assistant director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Rapid and accurate communications channels are imperative to tackling the many health problems faced by African countries and other parts of the developing world," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association.

"The rollout of this health management software in Africa will clearly demonstrate how governments can exploit the expanding mobile infrastructure to enhance the well-being of their citizens," added Conway.

The system, to be deployed in no less than 10 African counties, will bypass the paper-based systems currently used to record the spread of disease, allowing rapid interventions such as distribution of medication.

Industry observers are hoping many other wireless companies and mobile phone carriers will also join in.

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Source: Wireless Week