Smart Maternal Health care (SMHC) is a project designed to improve maternal health service delivery and outcomes. It involves the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to facilitate innovative or smart thinking and improve the efficiency of organizational processes in health care. The purpose of this project is threefold: ensure positive pregnancy experiences, facilitate cost-effective maternal health services, and improve population health by decreasing maternal mortality. The project will be located in Tanzania with pilot sites to be determined in consultation with the national administration and the NGO’s involved.
This project is a dream. It has been worked out in concept. It involves connecting patients, community health workers, dispensaries and hospitals. A complete ecosystem that works together. The core is a well-running AfyaPro system (EHR and hospital information system). Reference to other health facilities is electronic because they also use AfyaPro or a similar system. Through a patient portal and mobile applications, a connection with the patients and their families is made. Knowledge can be “pushed” to patients. Due to the availability of data for each patient, the quality of care greatly increases. Also decision support systems can be used and knowledge systems. This is practical in an environment with a scarcity of medical professionals.
A significant difference will be made the availability of data, feedback systems and increased patient empowerment. Data will be like ‘blood’ flowing through the health system. Innovative is also the addition of machine learning-artificial intelligence that shows the outcomes of care. Depending on the size and the existing infrastructure, this project costs approximately € 500 000 to establish and it will be sustainable.
