Integrating 3 into 1: Creating National Repositories of Information for mHealth & eHealth services

There is a proliferation of m and eHealth services, driven primarily by mobile operators, international donor agencies and civil society. Despite the proliferation of mobile services, the latent potential has not been directly converted into a sustainable impact on healthcare systems. A recent study by the GSMA looking at global mHealth services reviewed almost 700 initiatives, ranging from prevention and promotion services, to those that attempt to improve supply chain and health system efficiencies. The GSMA estimates that less than 1 per cent of global mHealth services currently demonstrate a significant impact on universal health access. ^[1]

Health authorities (including payers, providers, regulators and patients) have responded with a call for greater alignment to and demonstration of safety, efficacy, cost and health system benefits. To achieve this alignment between mobile and health stakeholders, with the aim of successfully integrating mobile and information, communication and technology (ICT) into the health system, broad dialogue and identification of barriers/catalysts is needed at all levels.

GSMA mHealth believes that dialogue between public and private stakeholders, with the aim of addressing barriers to scale and sustainability, must be informed by objective market information, best practices and user cases. National repositories of information aim to inform decision-makers, identify barriers and gaps in m and eHealth, and present best practices from countries around the world.

The GSMA will work with local and international stakeholders to develop the following three databases:

1. Health tracker: Information on m and eHealth services already launched;
2. Impact pathway: Information on evidence available to support these services; and
3. Market maturity: Information on the maturity/readiness of the industry to integrate these services.

These national repositories of information will aim to:

• Inform decision making through credible, internationally-validated repository of products and services;
• Identify catalysts, barriers and best practices across countries necessary to scaling m and eHealth services; and
• Advocate amongst public and private health and mobile stakeholders using the information as the basis for facilitated discussions.

For more information on the national repositories of information, please contact us on mhealth@gsm.org 

For information on various mHealth initiatives, click here. For more information on GSMA mHealth resources, click here.