Mobile services company Exactmobile, in conjunction with National Health Laboratory Services and the Eastern Cape Department of Health, have developed a mobile solution to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas.
A proof-of-concept pilot project just completed in Libode in Transkei used Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-enabled cellphones to allow doctors to receive detailed laboratory test results on the same day that samples were sent off. This was reportedly a first for the area, which is not served by power or telephone lines. The doctors at the six clinics involved in the pilot project are now using the cellphones extensively.
The major problem in a Third World environment such as the Transkei is the inability to capture relevant information using First World technology, and then the inability to distribute the information to all those who need access to the information. For instance, medical officials in urban centres need statistical information to analyse the extent of diseases, whereas the clinics need the test results as quickly as possible to commence treatment.
"We considered the detailed needs and a pilot system was developed using Internet technology in order to provide information to medical staff and SMS was considered the optimal mechanism to send the results to the clinics," says Gavin Penkin, CEO of Exactmobile South Africa.
"As well as SMS, the system also has a Web and WAP interface to enable data to be input and delivered to the various people that need it. This technology requires a minimal learning curve for the staff at the clinics and gives doctors and medical researchers full access to the statistical data. As the cellphones become more Internet-enabled with the roll-out of GPRS and HSCSD, this solution will expand to provide an excellent solution for these types of applications.
"The beauty of the concept is that it is simple, cost-effective and easy to roll-out. We are currently rolling out the project to Transkei`s roughly 400 clinics, and we hope to roll it out throughout SA by the end of this year."
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