Kenyan Students Develop AI Technology to Combat Maternal Mortality

University students in Kenya are leveraging artificial intelligence to address the alarming maternal mortality rate, which claims over 6,000 lives annually due to inadequate access to healthcare.

The initiative, called Mama’s Hub, enables healthcare workers to remotely monitor pregnant women’s health conditions using a smartwatch that tracks vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate. This data is sent to a mobile app, allowing healthcare providers to assess risks and refer patients to doctors when necessary.

David Saruni, a computer science student at Kabarak University, emphasized the project’s goal of preventing pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that can lead to maternal and infant deaths. The World Health Organization highlights that Africa accounts for over two-thirds of global maternal deaths, despite a decline in maternal mortality rates worldwide.

The Mama’s Hub application also features a chatbot for obtaining prescriptions, currently in testing phases. It digitizes prenatal care records, improving access and follow-up for healthcare providers. Wendy Tirop, Nakuru County’s chief nursing officer, noted that this technology has significantly enhanced record tracing and patient management in prenatal clinics, with plans for broader implementation across Kenya.