Bright Simons

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According to World Bank reports, mobile cellular subscriptions in low income countries have grown to a whopping 22% in just 8 years (2000 -2007) while internet has succumbed to single digit growth rates.
 
Several social innovators have recognized the potential of mobile technology in addressing healthcare issues in developing countries and have directed their energies to capitalize on its prevalence. While mobile technology is not the answer to all healthcare problems, it certainly has the potential to reach masses in the developing world that lack access to basic healthcare.

Telemedicine  – the use of telecommunications in delivering clinical care -  is an emerging concept in many developing nations. The Ugandan government has started a pilot project ICT4MPOWER utilizing mobile technology to transfer medical data for treatment, to collect referral information and also for building case histories. Trained health workers are responsible for imparting the required care. This Independent article explains how mobile phones make this feasible.