Exploring Natural Progression of Health-Related uses of Mobile Phones: an Egyptian Case Study

The expansion of mobile phone networks and services to developing countries presents a strategic opportunity for the health sector to maximize the contribution of the technology to meeting health objectives. Mobile phones were first introduced to Egypt in 1997, in the past few years the number of subscribers has climbed to 14 million, representing 20 percent of the country´s population. Along with increased access to fixed-line telephone services and emergency wireless systems, mobile phones are changing how health services are accessed by Egyptians as well as how they are coordinated. This paper explores the natural progression of mobile phone use for health in rural and urban communities in Minia Governorate, Egypt with the objective of informing projects and policies aimed at the formal integration within the health sector.