Nokia launches LifeTools for healthcare

Nokia Life Tools, a mobile application service from the Finnish handset manufacturer Nokia tailored to meet the needs of farmers and rural communities in India, is now targeting the healthcare segment. The company which launched LifeTools in 2009 to provide services to farmers, education service and entertainment via. SMS, launched its healthcare application.

Natesh B V, director-emerging markets services mobile solution, Nokia, said: “Since our launch in 2009 Life Tools has become an important platform for information dissemination in the country. Our agriculture and education services were widely accepted by consumers in rural India. From a recent study conducted by us, in India healthcare is a sector which needs more focus.”

The new healthcare application will be available in 22 models of Nokia phones starting at a price of Rs 1, 200. The company has partnered all major mobile service providers in the country to provide the sms service in 12 vernacular languages.

“In the healthcare domain we look at preventive measures than diagnostics. Our agriculture, education and entertainment service was focused on rural and semi-rural India. Through the healthcare service we want to address the needs of all section of people, both urban and rural,” said Natesh. The company has also roped in NGOs, state governments and experts, including doctors, for providing guidance and services. “We have a knowledge team who understands healthcare systems in a much better way. We have reached the ground level so that we can provide tips based on informations available locally.”

Life Tools for health will focus on three segments — mother and child care (for pregnant women and infants), health and fitness for both men and women and health topics related to diabetes, heart diseases among others. The monthly charges of Rs 30 will be charged for the service from customers.

Apart from this, Life Tools for education has tied up with IGNOU. According to the partnership, IGNOU will provide study material and certificates for people enrolled for the course.

Life Tools will send SMS tips to students. “We believe our education initiatives will help us narrow the illiteracy rate in the country.” Through Life Tools, the company is hoping to strengthen its presence in the India market where mobile penetration in the rural areas is increasing.