Qtel Group has launched a new mHealth service which allows diabetic patients in Kuwait, Iraq and Palestine to use their mobile phones to receive personalised alerts and information on exercise and diet.

The telecommunications company will soon offer the service in other countries where it is present.

Representatives from the Qtel Group and some of the world’s most innovative companies recently met in Qatar to discuss such innovations to mobile healthcare as well as how mobile phone technology can be used to support key healthcare goals across the region, said a statement.

Collaborating with GSMA, the global mobile association, the group will organise a series of workshops on the subject of mHealth, as part of a wider series of international events held with the mHealth Alliance, a campaign to champion the use of mobile technologies to improve health throughout the world.

Mobile health, or mHealth, is a term used for the practice of medicine using wireless devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs and remote monitoring devices, to improve patient care.

Global studies have shown that involving mobile devices in the practice of healthcare can have an immediate and significant impact, the statement said.

In remote locations and for rural communities, it can provide a vital link to physicians and healthcare advisors. In major cities, it can deliver incredible savings.

US operator Verizon estimates, according to reports, that mobile broadband can improve health care productivity in the US to the tune of $6.9 billion, which could increase nearly eight-fold by 2016.

Representatives from across Qtel’s group of companies gathered at the W Doha Hotel to gain a greater understanding on the dynamics of the health industry and how operators can make a difference to both patients and societies worldwide, it said.

The workshop also explored how specific OpCos in the group could take advantage of key opportunities in this sector within their own markets and help to build sustainable mHealth eco-systems.

Additional presentations on the day included mHealth case studies highlighting ongoing and scalable mHealth strategies that are already underway, it said.

A major part of the company’s ongoing strategy is to enhance the mHealth offering for all its customers. Representatives at the event included delegates from Qtel Qatar, Indosat, Wataniya Kuwait, Nawras, Asiacell, Nedjma, Tunisiana, Bravo, Wataniya Maldives, Wataniya Palestine, which between them cover mobile markets across the Mena region and Asia.

Dr Craig Fridericks, director of health, GSMA, said: “We are working with mobile network operators (MNO) worldwide to highlight how they can implement mHealth initiatives into the market that will offer significant health and lifestyle benefits to end users.” – TradeArabia News Service