I came across another very interesting application of mobile marketing in the health sector (there's also a previous related article) by the NHS (National Health Service) in the U.K. This was announced last weekend, but I'd missed it up to today. People can now use an SMS service to find out more information about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs), from the privacy of their mobile phone. According to the press release:

Mobile solutions provider txtNation and the National Health Service have teamed up to provide an SMS service that will allow the public to obtain help with sexual health issues. Advice can be sent instantly to your mobile phone from trained NHS experts thanks to the campaign that txtNation have set up.

The User texts ‘NHS’ to 60999 and a WAP link will be sent to their mobile phone which has the answers to questions about sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), contraception and provides information about where you can get help in your area. The text NHS campaign is completely confidential and because you can look at it on your mobile phone, you can do it whenever and wherever you want.

I was pretty impressed by this, as I always am when I see a useful mobile service, which is also done right. Sure, the service can be enriched, but it is a solid start, and it is very encouraging to see the mobile put to good use in the health sector. People can access the service anonymously, from the privacy of their own home, if they wish, but also have access to the information on the go, via the WAP site.

STIs and STDs are serious issues mainly for the young population, and the awareness campaign should be promoted by everyone. So help spread the word!

Incidentally, I think this is also further proof of the 'everything-mobile' theme that seems to be evolving and spreading all around the world lately.