AI Innovations to Enhance Maternal Health Care Access in Ghana

This article discusses the launch of an AI-driven dashboard in Ghana designed to improve access to emergency obstetric care. Developed with the OnTIME Consortium, the tool uses traffic prediction technology to help decision-makers address geographic disparities in care access. It aims to support ongoing efforts to reduce maternal mortality and facilitate better resource allocation.

Accessing emergency obstetric care poses significant challenges for women globally, especially in urban areas where traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure can impede timely medical assistance. This delay plays a critical role in the alarming statistic that a maternal death occurs every two minutes worldwide, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2023, we launched an innovative dashboard aimed at improving access to emergency obstetric care. Created in collaboration with the OnTIME Consortium, this tool employs AI-driven traffic predictions similar to those used by Google Maps to estimate travel times to the nearest emergency obstetric care facilities. The primary objective is to empower decision-makers to identify and address geographic gaps in access to critical care.

We are excited to announce the deployment of this tool in Ghana, a country that has made notable strides in reducing maternal mortality and is eager to adopt innovative solutions. We believe this dashboard can facilitate further advancements in maternal health, enhancing ongoing national efforts to protect mothers and newborns.

This AI tool has proven effective in Nigeria, where it has enabled Emergency Resources Africa, a network of community first responders, to optimize resource allocation. By identifying regions with longer travel times, first responders can be strategically repositioned to ensure quicker access to care for women in need.

Dr. Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, leader of the OnTIME Consortium, emphasized that this tool provides policymakers in Ghana with a realistic perspective on the challenges faced by pregnant women seeking emergency obstetric care in Greater Accra. This insight fosters better prioritization of high-risk areas and supports the formulation of targeted interventions to improve health outcomes.

This initiative aligns with Google Research Africa’s commitment to leveraging technology to tackle pressing challenges. Our current projects encompass a variety of issues, including food security, linguistic development, and weather forecasting.

We are eager to collaborate with our partners in Ghana to ensure the effectiveness of this tool and explore opportunities for dissemination to other nations. By harnessing technology, we aim to enhance access to emergency obstetric care, ultimately safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns across Africa and beyond.

In conclusion, the introduction of an AI-driven dashboard in Ghana represents a significant advancement in improving access to emergency obstetric care. By utilizing traffic prediction technology, stakeholders can efficiently allocate resources and target high-risk areas effectively. This initiative underscores the potential of technological solutions to alleviate maternal health challenges, contributing to the ongoing efforts to reduce maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.

Original Source: blog.google