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According to the World Health Organization in Ghana, more mothers and children die during childbirth than anywhere else in the world. Although there is some progress. In Ghana, for example, maternal mortality (MMR) fell by 49 percent. between 1990 and 2013, up to 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013. Ghanaian society believes in superstitions, which sometimes threatens the safety of children. In addition, most mothers are illiterate, so despite the fact that midwives or doctors will write them the date of their next visit, they cannot read it.
The mobile midwife gives hope
The “mobile midwife” application is to help change this situation. In a country where there are more mobile phones than people (which does not mean, however, that everyone has these phones because some people use several SIM cards) it seems that this solution, where women are informed by phone about important issues related to with pregnancy makes sense.
The “mobile midwife” system helps in adjusting the proper diet, also advises when to go to a real doctor for advice. – I was supposed to have an enema when pregnant. Listening to messages from a “mobile midwife”, I learned that this could lead to an abortion, says one woman. – When I was pregnant for the first time, I did not know the exact date of delivery and I gave birth at home. The second time the virtual midwife informed me that the deadline was approaching, so I prepared for childbirth and was born in a hospital – says another woman.
Sources:
[bbc.com] Joining up Ghana’s healthcare to save lives
[TVNbis.pl] Aplikacja mobilna ratuje życie matek w Ghanie
Photography: Adam Jones, Ph. D. – Global Photo Archive
