Smart mobile technology boosts health care, tourism

SMART Communications, Inc., the wireless unit of Philippine telecommunications leader PLDT, developed mobile solutions in 2017 to further improve the delivery of health care services, as well as boost local tourism.

Smart unveiled early this year the latest version of the Operation Smile app, which was developed as a Java-based solution in 2012. Now available for both Android and iOS devices, the app was launched as part of Operation Smile Philippines’ (OSP) 35th anniversary, with the campaign #UntilWeHeal.

The app, which is being used by volunteers from OSP and International Care Ministries, helps in digitizing medical information and mapping cleft patients. It enables OSP to plan medical missions in a more efficient manner, by targeting areas with high number of cleft incidents.

Secured Health Information Network and Exchange or SHINE OS+, an electronic medical record (EMR) and referral system launched in 2011 by Smart and Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center (AJWCC), is continuously being deployed in rural health units (RHU) and communities nationwide.

Since 2015, Smart’s SHINE OS+ has been able to digitize close to 177,700 patient records from 25 RHUs covering 23 municipalities in Cebu; four RHUs from Iloilo; four from Rizal; and one each for Bohol, Bulacan, Kalibo, and Masbate.

AJWCC has also developed SHINE OS+ Mobile to make the platform accessible to health professionals in the field; and MySHINE, which was designed as a companion app for patients whose health care records are stored in the network.

With the Philippines emerging as one of the top medical tourism destinations in the world, Smart collaborated with The Medical City (TMC) to welcome medical tourists with a special prepaid SIM card.

Foreign patients who are traveling to the Philippines to obtain treatment at TMC will get a complimentary Smart LTE Tourist SIM, which they can activate upon arrival in the country. The Smart LTE Tourist SIM offers 300 MB of data valid for three days, plus 700 MB data reward when users top up at least P30 within three days of activation.

To further promote local tourism and cultural heritage, Smart and InnoPub Media developed the KulToura app and Davao Guide mobile guides. A handy tool for both tourists and students, the apps feature top destinations and attractions, historical information, popular personalities and other trivia obtained from the archives of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

These mobile solutions are part of the Digital Tourism program of Smart in partnership with local government units.