Revolutionizing Maternal Healthcare: Mama’s Hub Takes the Lead

In a groundbreaking initiative, Mama’s Hub is transforming maternal healthcare through digital innovation. Developed by IntelliSOFT in collaboration with a consortium of Computer Science and Health experts from Kabarak and Strathmore Universities, the Technical University of Mombasa, and e-Med Solutions, this pioneering project is making waves in Nakuru, Kenya. The platform leverages technology to enhance antenatal care by enabling remote monitoring of pregnant women’s health, marking a significant advancement in maternal healthcare.

At the heart of Mama’s Hub is a digital library that houses critical information for pregnant mothers. This platform allows community health workers to input data from antenatal visits using an Android smartphone, which then generates electronic referrals to healthcare facilities. A standout feature of the hub is its integration with a smartwatch, which monitors vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. This real-time monitoring is essential for identifying conditions like pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, potentially preventing serious complications and improving outcomes for both mothers and their babies.

David Saruni, an undergraduate Computer Science student at Kabarak University, is among the students involved in this transformative project. Saruni and his team of interns are actively engaged in monitoring the health of pregnant women remotely through Mama’s Hub. “With this project, I work from anywhere to monitor how pregnant women are doing,” Saruni explains. “It is a project where we participate as students to use the skills we learn to develop critical solutions in the health sector.” Saruni’s enthusiasm for applying his academic knowledge to real-world problems highlights the practical impact of Mama’s Hub on both the students and the healthcare system.

Dr. Moses Thiga, the principal investigator of the project, outlines the project’s goals and phases. The initial focus was on digitizing antenatal records for easier access by caregivers. This approach ensures that maternal health information is available in real-time to critical caregivers such as antenatal care nurses and even family members. This real-time data access enhances the ability of caregivers to monitor and respond to the needs of pregnant women more effectively.

The first phase of the project involved digitizing the antenatal care booklet, which has already been implemented in three antenatal clinics in Nakuru: Bondeni Maternity, Bahati, and the Margaret Kenyatta Mother & Baby Unit at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital. The digitization of these records eliminates the risks associated with physical booklets, such as misplacement or damage, and allows for more seamless access to important health information across different healthcare facilities.

The second phase of Mama’s Hub involves monitoring blood pressure outside of traditional clinic settings. This phase addresses the need for continuous updates on maternal health to prevent complications and maternal deaths. By providing real-time data, the project aims to identify and address gaps in maternal healthcare promptly.

Nakuru County Chief Nursing Officer Wendy Tirop emphasizes the importance of digitizing antenatal records. She notes that while physical booklets contain vital information about the mother’s health, the baby’s immunization records, and family planning, issues such as pages being torn or booklets getting lost are common. The digital solution provided by Mama’s Hub mitigates these problems, ensuring that records are accessible and secure regardless of the facility a mother visits.

Kabarak University Vice Chancellor Henry Kiplagat praises the project for its role in enriching student training and preparing them for the professional market. “A project like Mama’s Hub is key in linking students and professionals in the field to boost their practical skills,” Professor Kiplagat states. “We want students ready who can solve the current challenges in different sectors. We want them to have entrepreneurial skills and be able to be independent.”

Mama’s Hub represents a significant leap forward in integrating technology with maternal healthcare. By harnessing digital tools to monitor and manage antenatal care, this initiative not only improves health outcomes for pregnant women but also sets a precedent for the future of healthcare innovation.