[report] Mobile for Development: Transforming Global Healthcare

10 November 2015

With the ascent of mobile technology and increased connectivity across the globe, the digital divide is slowly closing. As technological changes and solution-based innovations forge ahead in the next few years, the mobile landscape will be transformed. This is certainly the case for the health sector, which is increasingly adopting mobile health interventions as it strives to meet patient demand and have the latest medical developments literally at its fingertips. As mHealth becomes better understood, accepted and integrated into public health systems, the advantage of personalised medicine and population health management will become more desirable, building greater momentum and investment in technological developments for health. In the current climate, concerns are focused on unsustainable consumer businesses around mHealth and a highly regulated healthcare market that may restrict the use of mobile devices for healthcare purposes.

The Aid & International Development Forum (AIDF) Mobile for Development report attempts to address these challenges, together with recommendations and next steps to take the mHealth into the next innovation stage. AIDF’s Mobile for Development report shows that simplicity is the best approach. Introducing and expanding mHealth solutions to be sufficiently scalable to deliver on expectations and provide true benefits will ensure market demand is sufficiently met and safeguard the long-term sustainability of mobile health solutions.