Smartphones may help diagnose and control diseases in remote areas: Scientists

London: Healthcare workers in low-income countries, like those in sub-Saharan Africa, could use existing smartphones to diagnose, track and control infectious diseases, scientists say. There are already initiatives focused on using established mobile technologies like text messages and calls to connect healthcare workers and patients to each other, and to test results.
According to researchers, including those from Imperial College London in the UK and University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, smartphones could also help enable people to test themselves, and get results and support in their own homes.
This would make it easier for people to look after their own health — particularly in rural regions, where clinics can be too far away to travel.