Mobile (for) Development: When Digital Giants Take Care of Poor Women

Mobile phones are being used as a growth driver and solution to social problems in the Global South,reviving questions about technological development,the market sector,and the role of technology in inequalities. This Element provides a first-hand look at initiatives that promise to improve poor women's health through Mobile Health or mHealth,which transforms care practices and healthcare.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Mobile phones are gaining increasing attention from international aid actors and local authorities in the Global South, who are viewing mobile technology as a key driver of growth and a potential solution to numerous social issues. These policies, initiated by major digital industry giants, are rekindling debates about technological development, the relationship between the market sector and governments, and the role of technology in perpetuating inequalities between the Global North and Global South.

To explore these dynamics in depth, this Element conducts a multi-sited ethnography on maternal care in Ghana and India. Through this research, we gain a firsthand perspective on initiatives aimed at improving the health of poor women in the Global South through the use of mobile phones, a field known as Mobile Health or mHealth. We pay close attention to how these technological objects shape power relations at both international and local levels, and we also examine how mHealth transforms care practices and healthcare systems.

Mobile phones have become ubiquitous in the Global South, with millions of people using them for communication, information access, and financial transactions. The potential of mobile technology to improve healthcare outcomes for women in the region is immense, as it can provide access to medical advice, health information, and remote monitoring services.

One of the key challenges facing mHealth initiatives in the Global South is the lack of infrastructure and resources. Many healthcare providers and patients do not have access to reliable electricity, internet connectivity, or mobile phones, which can limit the effectiveness of mHealth programs. Additionally, there may be cultural barriers and misinformation about the benefits of mobile technology that can hinder its adoption and usage.

Despite these challenges, there are numerous examples of successful mHealth initiatives in the Global South. For instance, in Ghana, mobile phones have been used to provide maternal health education and support to women in rural areas. Through the use of text messages and voice calls, healthcare providers can provide personalized advice and reminders to women about prenatal care, childbirth, and postpartum care. This has led to a significant reduction in maternal mortality rates and improved healthcare access for women in rural areas.

In India, mobile phones have been used to create a network of community health workers who provide healthcare services to women in remote and underserved areas. These workers can use mobile phones to record patient information, provide medical advice, and refer women to healthcare facilities. This has helped to reduce the burden of maternal mortality and improve healthcare access for women in rural and urban areas alike.

Mobile phones have also been used to develop innovative healthcare solutions that address specific healthcare needs in the Global South. For example, in Kenya, mobile phones have been used to develop a mobile health platform that provides medical advice, health information, and remote monitoring services to women with chronic diseases. This platform has helped to improve the management of chronic diseases and reduce the burden of healthcare costs for women in the region.

In addition to their potential to improve healthcare outcomes, mobile phones can also have broader social and economic benefits. For instance, mobile phones can be used to promote gender equality and empower women by providing access to information, education, and financial services. Mobile phones can also be used to promote economic development by providing access to markets, information, and financial services to small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Global South.

However, there are also concerns about the potential negative impacts of mobile technology on healthcare in the Global South. For instance, the use of mobile phones for medical advice can lead to misinformation and misdiagnosis, particularly if the advice is not provided by qualified healthcare professionals. Additionally, the use of mobile phones for financial transactions can create opportunities for fraud and exploitation, particularly if the transactions are not secure.

To address these concerns, it is important to develop policies and regulations that promote the responsible and ethical use of mobile technology in healthcare. Governments, healthcare providers, and technology companies should work together to ensure that mobile technology is used to improve healthcare outcomes, rather than to exacerbate existing inequalities.

In conclusion, mobile phones are gaining increasing attention from international aid actors and local authorities in the Global South, who are viewing mobile technology as a key driver of growth and a potential solution to numerous social issues. Through a multi-sited ethnography on maternal care in Ghana and India, this Element provides a first-hand look at initiatives that promise to improve poor women's health in the Global South through the use of mobile phones. Mobile Health or mHealth is a field that has the potential to transform care practices and healthcare systems, but it requires careful consideration of the potential negative impacts and the need for responsible and ethical use of mobile technology. By working together
Together, we can harness the power of mobile technology to create a more equitable and sustainable future for women in the Global South.

Weight: 129g
ISBN-13: 9781009202428