El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has launched an AI powered app to provide free medical consultations on mobile devices.

Bukele presented the initiative on national television on Thursday accompanied by representatives from Google and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).

The new mobile app, "Doctor SV,” will enable users to access 24/7 medical assistance, making use of artificial intelligence and QR codes to receive medication and tests free of charge.

The program will initially target people between the ages of 18 and 30 and will be expanded gradually.

"It will also benefit users of the old system,” said Bukele during the hour long presentation.

"People will still be able to access the old system, which will function as before, but with fewer users.”

Young users like university student Beatriz Ramos welcomed the initiative.

"Not wasting time in a hospital, I think that makes a difference,” she said.

Dr. Iván Solano Leiva, president of the Medical Association of El Salvador, recognizes that the app could prove to be a very useful tool for basic medical needs, but cautions that it may not be suitable for all ages.

"Older adults and those of us over 50 find technology particularly difficult,” he said.

"It needs to be user-friendly. Otherwise, the person will not be able to obtain adequate healthcare."