Using ICTs and mobile devices to accelerate progress for women’s and children’s health

Overview

6.9 million children under the age of five and nearly 287,000 mothers die every year from preventable causes. While significant efforts have been made to save the life of women and children, further progress is still needed to meet targets under Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 & 5 and the Every Woman Every Child movement. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) & mobile devices can be critical enablers as they can facilitate the measurement of performance and progress, improving inclusiveness and transparency, connecting information systems for reporting and research, and the delivery of healthcare and advice even to remote locations.
The rapid uptake and coverage of mobile devices and ICT in low-income countries is an indication of their potential. For example, in developing countries, the number of internet users doubled between 2007 and 2011, and developing countries accounted for more than 80% of the 660 million new mobile-cellular subscriptions in 2011.