South Africa’s healthcare is poised for a major revolution this year. Millions of MTN subscribers will be able to access a range of healthcare services on their mobile handsets without the inconvenience of travelling to a healthcare facility.
MTN and Sanlam Health – a division of the financial services provider Sanlam Group – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to roll out innovative mHealth services from the first quarter of 2011.
mHealth is the practice of medical and public health, supported by mobile devices. mHealth applications include the use of mobile devices in collecting community and clinical health data, delivery of healthcare information to practitioners, researchers, and patients, real-time monitoring of patient vital signs and direct provision of care via mobile telemedicine.
The partnership makes commercial sense for MTN as the company is in the process of assessing potential healthcare solutions in a bid to diversify its value proposition to its current and future subscribers across its footprint in Africa and the Middle East.
In Sanlam Health, MTN has found a partner that has the programmes, the skills, accreditation and the infrastructure to build innovative healthcare solutions for MTN.
Says Christian de Faria, MTN Group Senior Vice-President: Commercial and Innovation: “MTN is pleased to have found the right partner in Sanlam Health that understands and appreciates the innovation ethos that MTN espouses. As a company that prides itself for being at the cutting edge of innovation, we are confident that our mHealth solutions will reaffirm our market leadership and enhance the quality of the lives of our subscribers.”
Grant Newton, Sanlam Health CEO: “Sanlam Health is pleased to be partnering with MTN in this exciting venture. This new partnership could not have come at a better time for both Sanlam Health and MTN to position themselves optimally to take advantage of the changing healthcare environment in South Africa.”
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