Experts call for optimum use of mHealth in Oman 

(MENAFN Press) As mobile health is making significant strides across the globe, the potential for advancements on healthcare mobility is now indispensable in Oman. This is the most convenient time for the Sultanate to get exposed to advanced mobile health solutions, participants stressed at the Mobile Health Seminar yesterday at Grand Hyatt Muscat.

Organised by Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), the technical arm of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), the seminar underlined the importance of using mHealth to strengthen health systems and widen the scope of healthcare to encompass elements of social care and wellness management; the need for advocacy tools to encourage telecoms to invest in mHealth; the significance of developing a shared perspective on mHealth implementation across a range of technical areas in Oman; framing mHealth within global health strategies, standards and practices; and emphasising practical and flexible guidance for mHealth implementation.

Speaking at the opening session of the seminar, Mohamed Al Maskari, General Manager of Knowledge Oasis Muscat said, "KOM constantly organises a diverse range of events and activities aspiring to open wider horizons in the field of information and communications technology.

" Al Maskari briefly introduced the current landscape of mobile health services worldwide, saying: "Countries globally are impressively adopting mobile health systems due to the fact that these systems play a prominent role in supporting and developing better health care services for all members of a society. Statistics indicate that 26 per cent of the adult population in the United States uses their mobile phones for health tools and information. Besides, experts promise a wide space for development and investment opportunities in this area."

The market in the Sultanate, like other global markets, has witnessed a remarkable growth in the number of mobile phone users, Al Maskari noted. "The growth is estimated at 2.4 per cent by the end of the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 totaling 4.9 million users of mobile phone in the country. Statistics also reveal that there is a rapid growth in the number of smartphone users in Oman, in which advanced applications are employed. The number of Blackberry users in Oman has increased by 13.8 per cent during the same period, which is equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the total number of mobile phone users.

He added that the purpose to convoke this gathering is to shed light on the importance, benefits and obstacles of applying mobile health systems, in addition to the investment opportunities that may arose with the usage of the services.
Interactive panel discussion

The mHealth Seminar brought together thought leaders and key decision makers within the NHS, phone and technology companies, plus commercial businesses who seek to reach consumers with health messages. The seminar featured a high-level interactive panel discussion moderated by Dr. Mario De Souza, Senior Consultant & Advisor, Hospital Administration, Ministry of Health, Oman. The discussion hosted alineup of keynote speakers comprising Dr. Mohammad Al Ubaidly (UK), Mentor and Limited Partnerat Blueprint Health LLC; Dr. Wahid Al Kharousi, Retired Ambassador, working at the Ministry of Foreign affairs on Contract; Said Al Shanfari, Department Head Business development - Nawras; and Abdul Rahman Al Touqi, Director General of Information Technology, Ministry of Health. Speakers shared experiences in running mobile health projects, objectives and key challenges in a way to open new horizons for cutting-edge services for healthcare in the Sultanate.
A bright future

On the challenges faced by mobile health, Dr. Mohammad Al Ubaidly, said, "Patients need to have all of their medical records. This is vital for safety, because it allows the patients to obtain all their medical records with them from all their doctors and nurses whenever and wherever the patient is being treated."

Al Ubaidly added, "It also allows innovation because companies from all over the world can help the patient interpret and act based on the data with their medical professionals. The challenge is that not all medical professionals have yet understood the importance of this, and that few governments have provided the legislative and financial support for this focus on patients.

I personally expect a bright future for the field. As for governments, giving the patients electronic copies of their medical data will reduce costs while improving outcomes. For professionals, improved productivity and safety will relieve the pressure they are under. Patients will be able to self-manage to stay well and avoid diseases, allowing them a healthier lifestyle and more empowerment over their lives."
Skilled human resources

Wahid Al Kharousi emphasise d on the importance of getting the programme holistically tuned to avoid loss of confidence by the users. "Other challenges of mHealth services may include getting trained human resources to develop, organise, document and follow-up the programme. We need to build capacity. The programme requires medically orientated people to perceive and appreciate the progress of the programme," Al Kharousi elaborated.

"Mobile Health is the future of the sector, and Oman must start in all its dimensions, slowly and gradually. We need this programme in the Sultanate for health deliverance, public health, civil societies and NGO's advocacy work, and to economically use the budget of the ministry," he added.
Lack of resources

Said Al Shanfari stressed on the importance of providing databases in government health establishments, and pharmacies and therapeutic establishments. Al Shanfari noted that one of the challenges faced by mobile health in Oman is the lack of resources and projects focused on mobile health. He recommended the sector to offer IT infrastructure information in government and private health establishments, telecommunications infrastructure in all governorates and high-speed Internet for all health establishments.
Sector experience

"There are multiple challenges linked with the adoption of mobile health. One is the financial cost which is allocated by the concerned party to upgrade systems and equipments in order to keep pace with the latest technologies and computerise all health institutions and connect them all together to exchange patients' data," Abdul Rahman Al Touqi pointed out.

Al Touqi added, "The direction towards mobile health supports the vision of the Sultanate to create a digital nation for citizens and residents. Many countries have excelled in designing criteria for applying mobile health projects. We can take advantage of their experiences and apply the same in the Arab world."

It should be noted that this seminar comes as part of Digital Nation series of seminars, which are being organised throughout the year. These seminars provide an excellent platform for concerned people to develop learning skills and technologies to communicate and develop new business relations in the field of ICT.