Irish Aid is supporting an innovative project which uses mobile phones to increase frequency and quality of care that is available to new and expectant mothers, reflecting one of its important goals in Key Partner Countries.

In Sierra Leone, one in eight women risk dying during pregnancy or childbirth, but pre-natal and antenatal healthcare could significantly reduce the risks that these women face and improve the health and survival chances of their babies. Now, using a specially designed application installed on a mobile phone, Community Health Workers with World Vision Ireland can receive reminders about household visits to pregnant women and mothers; make emergency referrals to health centres; and collect real time information about the health of over 22,000 households in the Bonthe District of Sierra Leone.

A team of doctoral researchers in the Centre for Global Health in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) are looking at how this mobile application can be used as a human resource for health management tool for community health workers and the social and cultural impacts of mobile health projects.

The project, which is also being carried out in conjunction with the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the University of Sierra Leone, was recently awarded the African Development Bank’s Innovation for eHealth Solutions for Africa Award.

The project is an example of how low cost technology, such as mobile phones, can be used in innovative ways to help with the delivery of essential services.