Mobile phones can play a valuable role in boosting health systems, services and patient treatment outcomes when deployed as part of surveillance systems in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), according to a paper published at PLOS Medicine.
Researchers deployed a mobile-based surveillance system to track rabies control activities and disease management in southern Tanzania. The system provided a cost-effective, easy-to-use approach for collecting data and improving data quality.
Surveillance systems are typically used to track progress of disease control and prevention actions. Yet, in the LMIC environment, there are substantial challenges, including maintaining effective communications, achieving timely feedback and potential for inaccurate data. Report