Kenya launched M- health to expand medical service

By AHIN Reporter:
A mobile health service (M-Health) which is the first of its kind has been launched by Kenyan ministry of information to enable its citizens to access medical services via their phones. This is aimed at reducing medical cost and supplement other pioneer efforts been made by the government.
Its been said that said that the success of this initiative could be turning a point in Africa healthcare. This is based on the sparse health infrastructures and minimal requirements: mobile phone; this project require.
Dr BitangeNdemo, stated that “We are headed to an era where all our crucial information will be stored on cloud for ease of access and reference,” The service dubbed “Daktari1525” will enable the over 18 million Safaricom subscribers to call doctors at any time of the day and receive expert advice on any health-related issues.
It’s claimed that the new service will carry minimal cost and it’s expected to have big impact in reducing hospital visits and cost of seeking clinical advice and care for diverse conditions.

The access to the service will be to dial code”1525″ which will go to Safaricom call centre and the user will be linked to a doctor for assistance. However, the doctors would not be required to prescribe any medication but give necessary advice to the patient. This will be a pioneer service in Africa, because of shortage of doctors and low wages. Patients would be able to get expert advice which would have been far too expensive for them to get under the current system
Safaricom’s director in-charge of Corporate Affairs NziokaWaita stated that this project is to buttress Safricom strategy in laying foundation for the take-off of mobile health in Africa .
Its been said that said that the success of this initiative could be turning a point in Africa healthcare. This is based on the sparse health infrastructures and minimal requirements: mobile phone; this project require