Dear Neil,
Thanks for this.
I have recently conducted a case study on Iraq's PHC response to COVID-19.
The study was commissioned by WHO EMRO and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research. Although the use of mobile phones was not the main purpose of the study but the followings were highlighted by the key informants I interviewed:
1. Mobile phones were used extensively as a source of information both through text messages and also through surfing the internet. Social media was highlighted as one of the main sources of information by interviewees.
2. COVID-19 centers were referred patients through phone calls and text messages informally. Patients were referred this way by private hospitals, clinics, families and individuals. Usually, people directly contacted the manager of the COVID-19 treatment centre.
3. WhatsApp groups were developed by healthcare providers to exchange information and ideas.
4. Viber was also used. One directorate of health developed a Viber group to provide information.
Hope this helps
Goran
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Goran Zangana
MBChB, MPH, MRCP (UK), MRCPE, PhD
Associate Research Fellow
Middle East Research Institute
Iraq country representative for HIFA
https://www.hifa.org/support/members/goran
Skype: gzangana
E mail: goran.zangana@meri-k.org
HIFA profile: Goran Zangana is a medical doctor and Associate Research Fellow with the Middle East Research Institute, Iraq. He is a HIFA country representative for Iraq and is currently based in the UK. He is the current holder of Country Representative of the Year 2021.
https://www.hifa.org/support/members/goran
goran.zangana AT meri-k.org
