Silverio Omari
University students in Kenya are developing an AI-powered technology aimed at reducing maternal mortality rates. Maternal deaths remain a major issue for women of reproductive age, with the Ministry of Health reporting over 6,000 deaths annually due to limited access to maternal healthcare.
The new innovation, called Mama’s Hub, allows healthcare providers to remotely monitor pregnant women and their fetuses without requiring hospital visits. David Saruni, a computer science student at Kabarak University in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is part of the team behind the project.
“The goal is to prevent the onset of pre-eclampsia, a condition that can lead to the death of mothers and infants,” Saruni explained. “This project has the potential to save lives.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal health as the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. While maternal mortality has decreased globally over the past 20 years, the WHO notes that Africa still accounts for more than two-thirds of maternal deaths worldwide.
Mama’s Hub addresses this by equipping expectant mothers with smartwatches that track vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. These metrics are sent to a database via a connected mobile phone, where healthcare professionals can review the data and recommend further medical attention if necessary.
Artificial intelligence enhances this process by enabling patients to receive prescriptions through a chatbot, which is currently in the testing phase.
Moses Thiga, the principal investigator of Mama’s Hub, noted, “If pre-eclampsia is detected before 20 weeks, early interventions can be applied, and the same goes for conditions like gestational diabetes. The key is timely and accurate information.”
Supported by the National Research Fund, the technology also digitizes prenatal care records for easier access. It has already been tested in prenatal clinics in Nakuru, with plans for national expansion. Wendy Tirop, chief nursing officer for Nakuru County, emphasized that digital records have made it easier for healthcare providers to track and follow up with patients who miss appointments.
Dj Vnyash
