Maternal death rates in sub-Saharan Africa have dropped almost 40% since 2000, yet the region still has the highest number of maternal deaths, at 533 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Since 2016, a research team of senior and emerging African and Canadian researchers from the University of Malawi and the University of British Columbia (UBC), working in collaboration with Malawi’s Ministry of Health, has been exploring how to improve the use of proven ways to help save these babies’ lives.
Seven projects on three continents designed and tested innovative ways of using eHealth to reach those with the greatest need: vulnerable women and children.
An innovative mHealth project brings vital pregnancy and childcare information to ethnic minority women in Vietnam who are isolated from mainstream health services.
An integrated eHealth platform will now link Peru’s fragmented healthcare information system. A lifesaver for women and children, WawaRed will also improve health planning and policy.
Despite high mobile phone penetration in Kenya and the proliferation of eHealth programs, healthcare remains largely inaccessible outside major cities. Research funded by IDRC is now feeding into national policies to ensure greater health equity.
Mobile phones could boost the health of Ethiopia’s underserved rural population. They also promise to enhance the skills and reputation of health extension workers, who are linchpins of the country’s health system.