Every year, almost 289,000 women die during childbirth or shortly thereafter. Ninety-nine percent of maternal mortality cases occur in the developing world. This number is quickly falling due to, among other things, the rise in mobile phone access around the globe. It may seem a bit surprising that increased cell phone access correlates to lower death rates, but millions who were unreachable now have access to information regarding health and pregnancy.

One-half of all deaths associated with childbirth, whether it be the infant or the mother, occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Health workers in the area cite old habits as one of the major roadblocks to alleviating childbirth deaths. In Cameroon, a service called GiftedMom sends SMS alerts to mothers, notifying them when to receive antenatal care and also keeping them updated on when to get their infants vaccinated. The simple and free messages help build a solid schedule to break old habits and come to a climate of proper healthcare. GiftedMom works with local hospitals and clinics throughout Cameroon to collect phone numbers of mothers and encourage them to use the service.

Rwanda has also seen a steep decline in maternal health complications and deaths due to the use of mobile technology. The system is called RapidSMS, and rural health providers and clinics use the service to communicate with the greater connected health system. RapidSMS has defined certain common complications involving childbirth, maternity and infancy. Each is designated with a code. A local health worker sends the code to the system and receives near-instant feedback as to what to do. RapidSMS significantly cuts treatment delay times.

Like GiftedMom, RapidSMS also helps break old habits. Health providers are the ones using the service and thus are encouraged to accompany mothers and infants if outside treatment is needed. Communities are made stronger and healthier as a result.

– Joe Kitaj

Sources: BBC, Huffington Post, Voice of America
Photo: Northeastern University Political Review