Bupa is collaborating with several partners to help tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory illnesses by reaching patients and carers via mobile technology.
Through the global Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative, it aims to help cut the incidence of NCD-related deaths (which account for 63% of global deaths) by 25% by 2025.
Be He@lthy, Be Mobile is the joint creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Started in 2012, it runs in seven countries: Costa Rica, Norway, the Philippines, Senegal, Tunisia, the UK and Zambia.
As the group’s lead healthcare partner, Bupa works with businesses, international development banks and NGOs to deliver vital information to patients’ mobile phones. Participants gain the knowledge they need to help prevent and manage diseases, and access health services. Be He@lthy, Be Mobile also provides training to health workers, strengthening healthcare systems.
The partners aim to achieve transformational change, on a scale that would simply not be possible by working alone. Importantly, Bupa shares its business expertise, helps to develop funding strategies, provides funding and builds valuable relationships through its extensive network of contacts.
Around 96% of the world’s population has access to a mobile phone network, so digital technologies present a significant opportunity for the group to reach more people with high quality, affordable, mobile healthcare services.
Every project is delivered at a national level, in line with the country’s needs, and is sustained with ongoing government support. Bupa and its partners continuously build on their experiences to deliver best practice advice and optimise their programmes.
Be He@lthy, Be Mobile is currently supporting the Costa Rican government in encouraging Costa Rica’s estimated 500,000 smokers to kick the habit. Smokers can join the programme by sending a text message to a special number with the phrase “I want to quit”. Participants then receive a series of personalised messages with advice and support, as well as opportunities to link with mentors and peers. The programme is funded by tobacco taxes, helping to ensure its longevity.
In Senegal, where 80% of diabetics go undiagnosed, Be He@lthy, Be Mobile is working with the Senegalese government to increase people’s understanding of the disease.
The diabetes programme was launched in the first month of Ramadan, a period of religious fasting and feasting that typically creates a sharp rise in emergency cases of diabetes. Around 80,000 text messages were sent to more than 2,000 users in the initial phase.
Meanwhile, in Zambia, which has one of the world’s highest rates of invasive cervical cancer, Be He@lthy, Be Mobile will encourage women to take screening tests and enable health workers to follow up with their patients.
Bupa and the Be He@lthy, Be Mobile team are helping to inspire more people to consider their health. Together, they have a unique opportunity to generate impact at scale, reaching millions of people and creating positive, systemic change.
