A non-governmental organisation, Hacey Health Initiative, has organised capacity-building workshops for health workers in Oyo and Osun states.
Hacey Health Initiative, through its impact health project, partnered IPRD Solutions.
It began operations in 2021 and has been working with Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care Board to develop and deploy digital tools to improve maternal health services in local communities.
The intervention started with maternal health care and targets all key areas of health service delivery in Oyo and Osun states.
It is designed to ease the workflow of healthcare workers and improve information transfer across service points and to the ministry.
ln furtherance to the organisation’s goal, they created a system that would make the collection and use of health data easier for health workers at the local level and decision-makers at the state level to deliver on health programs.
Hacey’s Programme Lead, Chioma Osakwe, said: “Beginning in Oyo state and Osun, we are using digital technology to enhance maternal health outcomes for millions of women throughout Nigeria.
“We understand the opportunity that comes with the digital health transformation and are eager to work with our partners, IPRD Solutions to support state governments across Nigeria in reducing the burden of maternal mortality by implementing and bolstering digital health systems.
“We have trained over 410 health workers across 107 health facilities in Oyo and Osun.
“We are working to link our platform with the national Health Management Information System (HMIS) tool.
“When this is accomplished, data can instantly flow from the neighborhood medical centers to the highest policy table for planning, budgeting, and decision-making.”
Hacey’s Executive Director, Rhoda Robinson said: “Maternal and child care is at the core of our interventions as we seek to create a healthy and safe environment for mothers and their infants.
“Although important progress has been made in maternal health care in the last two decades, about 295, 000 women died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2017.
“Most maternal deaths are preventable with timely management by a skilled health professional working in a supportive environment.
“Ending preventable maternal death must remain at the top of our agenda as a country and the world at large.
“In continuation of our existing efforts which is in line with the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Health ICT strategic framework, we developed and deployed digital tools to ease the workflow of healthcare workers and improve information transfer across services points, we commenced program activities and support provision.
“We have installed solar-powered inverters in health facilities and internet connections.
“We have also facilitated capacity-building sessions for health workers.”
Nigeria accounts for about 20% of global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 814 deaths per 100,000 live births, leaving it among the highest in the world.
High maternal mortality rates and newborn death remain a pressing public health concern in Nigeria.
Hence, the need for health care providers, particularly at grassroots levels, to take advantage of digital gadgets to improve service delivery.