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ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe today launched an emergency service , Dial-a-Doc, that affords subscribers access to medical advice and information via mobile phones.
The mobile telecommunications giant is rolling out value added services in order to augment traditional revenue streams from voice and Short Message Services (SMS).
In essence, the service collapses the brick-and-mortar consultations of current medical services.
Through Dial-a-Doc, Econet subscribers are connected directly to trained medical doctors at Econet’s call centre.
The service functions as an initial advisory service upon which reference to relevant practitioners for further examination may be recommended.
Prescriptions will, however, not be provided via the platform.
Econet chief executive Mr Douglas Mboweni said local companies should invest in services and products that improve the lives of Zimbabweans.
And easy access to information on health matters, he said, is one such step.
“We cannot leave the responsibility to foreigners alone; we should take the leading role in investing in our economy. For every need we identify in society, we should provide a solution,” said Mr Mboweni.
Head of EcoHealth Dr Precious Lunga added innovation remains key in building health standards.
“Dial-a-Doc breaks the barrier: be it on time, place and even money when one has a medical emergency and requires information instantly,” she said.
Consultations presently cost US70cents per minute, while consulting a doctor is more than US$15
Online Reporter