More than 40 million additional patients could be treated in Brazil and Mexico in 2017 through the adoption of mobile health services, according to a new report from the GSMA.

The report, which was developed in collaboration with PwC, said mobile services could extend healthcare to 28.4 million patients in Brazil and 15.5 million patients in Mexico in 2017.

Mobile technology could also encourage around 16 million people in the countries to lead healthier lifestyles, so reducing the impact of chronic diseases.

Other benefits would include cost savings of $18 billion for existing healthcare systems, as well as the creation of 200,000 jobs in the emerging mhealth sector.

Mobile health could improve quality of life and boost GDP in the two countries by producing a fitter, more productive workforce.

Brazil is one of the country’s targeted by Telefonica for its mobile health strategy. Its local mobile unit Vivo, the country’s largest operator, recently struck a deal with a medical school in Brazil to jointly develop services.

And earlier this year, Telefonica bought a controlling stake in the country’s largest chronic care management company.

Plus Vivo has just announced a partnership with the Continua Health Alliance Brazil to promote the development of connected health devices, alongside personal and corporate mhealth services.

However, the GSMA’s report also points out barriers for the adoption of mobile health in Brazil and Mexico. They include regulatory, economic, structural and technology obstacles that need to be overcome.