Phones to stem maternal mortality

Ho, Feb 26, GNA - Grameen Foundation, non-governmental organisation in healthcare services, is pioneering a concept of using mobile phones to monitor the condition of pregnant women and babies. Ms Kirsten Gagnaire, the Project Manager, said in an address at the fourth anniversary celebration of the Volta Foundation in Ho that health workers manning Community Based Health Planning Services Zones would keep phone numbers of pregnant women to cue them on what to do and when to seek medical help.

She said the two-way communication between nurses and pregnant women should help reduce maternal mortality in the country.

Ms Gagnaire said what was essential for the project was access to mobile phones, which in certain cases, could be shared and the capacity to send clear messages.

She said simple text messages to nurses from clients and quick cue back on what to do could make a big difference in the maternal health situation in the country. Ms Gagnaire said pilot programmes were going on in selected areas of the country.