Saudi operator Mobily has launched a health advice service for mobile subscribers based on content from the publishing and media division of the Harvard Medical School. The mobile operator is collaborating with AxeIn, a value-added services supplier. The app-based service offers users a range of health and medical advice including information on common diseases and conditions. Initially available for BlackBerry users, the app will soon be available for iPhone, Android and Nokia handsets, says Mobily.

Mobile subscribers access the new service by sending an SMS to a short code and then downloading a link which will provide what is initially a free trial lasting for seven days. After the trial period lapses subscribers pay 66 Halalas (18 US cents) per day to access the service. The new content is branded Harvard Health and is part of a wider Arabic language health service that provides answers to common health-related questions as well as offering tips about lifestyle and wellness. The service also offers access to interactive chatrooms for health questions. The new app is one of those available through Mobily’s recently launched app store.