The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it has developed an application specially designed for Muslim patients with diabetes. The project is part of “Be He@lthy. Be mobile,” an initiative run by the United Nations and the International Telecommunications Union aimed at promoting the use of mobile technology to prevent and control non-contagious diseases such as diabetes and cancer.
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is Ramadan and to demonstrate their faith and devotion believers fast while the sun is up. This means that they can only eat before sunrise and after sunset. The mDiabetes application sends text messages with advice to bear in mind: drink a liter of water every morning before the fast begins, control excess eating, monitor sugar consumption and consult a doctor to adapt medication dosages.
“Ramadan is a period of high sugar consumption,” explained the National Secretary of the Senegalese Association of Diabetics, Oumar Baye Gueye. He noted that use of mobile phones has proliferated in developing countries: 83% of people have a telephone, of which 40% are smartphones.
The project’s developers are seeking to link with healthcare professionals, patient associations and citizens so as to provide free access to the service.
“Be He@lthy. Be mobile,” is also expanding into other areas of healthcare. In Costa Rica, for example, it developed the mCessation pilot program to help people quit smoking; and in Zambia the app mCervical is focused on patients with cancer of the cervix. Currently, new projects are being designed, including mHypertension, an application for Hypertense patients.
Source: World Health Organization
