A team of Computer Science students from Kabarak University, under the guidance of Dr. Moses Thiga, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and ICT, has created an innovative app called Mama’s Hub. This app digitizes the Mother-Child Booklet, aiming to improve data collection and reporting in antenatal care, especially in rural communities.
Dr. Thiga explains, “The mother-child booklet is a critical document that often gets misplaced by mothers. It contains all the necessary information during a woman’s pregnancy.
When this booklet is lost, healthcare providers face challenges in following up due to missing data. Digitizing the booklet ensures that all information is easily accessible and complete.”
Mama’s Hub allows healthcare providers to view and update mothers’ medical records in real-time as it facilitates seamless data transfer between healthcare facilities, ensuring continuity of care even during subsequent pregnancies.
A standout feature of the app is its integration with a smartwatch. This smartwatch monitors vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate, which is crucial for detecting conditions like pre-eclampsia.
Pre-eclampsia, a type of high blood pressure that can occur during pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of maternal and newborn mortality in Kenya.
The app shares the collected data instantly with nurses and the mother’s next of kin, providing actionable steps if there are any concerning readings.
Dr. Thiga notes, “While weekly and monthly hospital visits are important, there’s often a lack of data between these visits. The smartwatch collects data daily, giving healthcare providers a comprehensive view of the mother’s health in real-time.”
The innovative system has already been tested at Annex Hospital in Nakuru. Looking ahead, Dr. Thiga envisions expanding the app’s capabilities to include postnatal care. He acknowledges challenges such as the risk of smartwatches getting lost or damaged and plans to address these issues in future versions.
Mama’s Hub is a project funded by the National Research Fund (NRF) and undertaken by a consortium that includes Kabarak University, Strathmore University, the Technical University of Mombasa, Intellisoft Consulting Ltd, and Emed Solutions Ltd.
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