How m-Health Can Contribute to Realization of Right to Health?

Background: Right to highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human right. All the states are required by international human rights laws to progressively realize this right by using all available resources and technologies such as m-health. This technology has the potential to improve availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of health services. In this regard, m-health services should follow certain standards and principles. Objectives: This article is intended to determine the standards and principles that should be considered in planning and running m-health services to be able to contribute to realization of right to health. Materials/Patients and Methods: A content analysis of international human rights and health laws, medical practices principles and telemedicine guidelines which are published by relevant international organizations and currently in effect was done to achieve the aim of the study. Results: M-health services should be designed as a part of current health system under the umbrella of integrated care. A support and monitoring and referral system should be defined for m-health. To protect the rights of users and patients, data protection, informed consent and confidentiality of data need to be considered. The service must be provided without any kinds of discrimination to everyone. Therefore, the needs of illiterate people including digitally illiterate, children, people who do not have access to internet and mentally ill patients shall be meet. The standards related to medical practice and ethics must be applied to m-health too. Also, to guarantee its sustainability, this service should be covered by the insurance package. Moreover, medical professionals must be qualified to provide services via mobile phones. A system of accountability, liability and probably proper remedies should be established to protect users from violation of their rights. It is probable that m-health is not appropriate for everyone; therefore, face to face services should support this service in order to provide equal treatment. Conclusion: M-health has the potential to improve realization of right to health if the standards of human rights laws and medical practices principles are taken into account.