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Mar 05, 2024
By Margot Cooijmans, Director of Philips Foundation
In Sub-Saharan Africa, maternal healthcare is at a critical juncture. I’ve learned much about the unique challenges the region is facing during my recent travels, and during an event with Philips Foundation partners in Nairobi last November. Through these experiences, my determination to improve the survival chances of mothers and babies has only grown.
A recent incident in Tana River, Kenya, where a pregnant woman, after feeling a contraction, swam across a river to get medical help. Finally, she gave birth in a hospital across the river, and both mother and child were safe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is just one of many incidents underscoring the urgency for improved maternal healthcare, especially in low-resource settings. A close examination of Kenya's maternal healthcare landscape – reflective of broader global concerns – shows strides have been made, but challenges persist. Shockingly, every two minutes globally one woman loses her life due to pregnancy or childbirth [1]. Currently, approximately 88 percent of pregnant women in Kenya give birth in health facilities, showcasing progress in accessibility. However, maternal and newborn deaths remain significant public health issues. Although maternal mortality had fallen 34% on the global level in 2020, maternal mortality is often still too high in sub-Saharan African countries [2]. This signals a need for accelerated efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a maximum of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030 globally, compared to the current rate of 223 deaths per 100,000 live births [3]. Overcoming challenges in maternity care Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 70% of global maternal deaths in 2020 [4], revealing stark inequalities in accessing quality health services.
Although maternal mortality had fallen 34% on the global level in 2020, maternal mortality is often still too high in sub-Saharan African countries.
In my daily work, technology and collaboration in maternal healthcare emerge as vital solutions to address these challenges, transforming maternal care globally and in East Africa. Notably, we have seen how groundbreaking the integration of AI in portable ultrasound can be in maternal care delivery. It facilitates training of community health workers, and enhances the efficiency of prenatal and postnatal examinations. AI-powered ultrasound solutions can facilitate early detection of potential complications, allowing for timely interventions and better chances of healthy delivery. Our partnership with Aga Khan University focuses on training midwives to perform scans with Philips' mobile ultrasound solutions. Through this collaboration, I have witnessed how providing the right technology, combined with a joint intention to learn how to improve antenatal care and early identification of at-risk pregnancies in underserved areas, truly enhances the chances at a healthy life. Each of our partners’ stories is a testament to the power of passion in transforming healthcare. We are not just investing in technologies; we are investing in knowledge, determination, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives societal improvement through an ecosystem approach. Technology as our ally Technology acts as a formidable ally, offering a myriad of benefits that revolutionize care for expectant mothers. Integration of technology, including AI, and bringing it closer to the communities, acts as a bridge across logistical and staffing issues, enabling pregnant women in low-resource settings to access quality healthcare services. This approach has also fostered a sense of active participation in their own healthcare journey, allowing expectant mothers to make informed decisions, engage with healthcare providers, and advocate for their well-being. As we partake in our daily endeavors, let us collectively champion a future where every expectant mother benefits from the transformative power of technology in maternal healthcare. To achieve this vision, we must emphasize the need for supportive policies. We need to urge policymakers to enact measures that drive the integration of technology in maternal care, ensuring that no expectant mother is left without the benefits of modern, compassionate care. Together, we can build a strong support system, led by a promise to make a future where technology greatly improves maternal health for everyone.
Together, we can build a strong support system, led by a promise to make a future where technology greatly improves maternal health for everyone.
--- [1] WHO (2023). A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies
[2] UNICEF (2023). Maternal mortality rates and statistics
[3] WHO (2023). SDG Target 3.1 | Maternal mortality: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
[4] WHO (2023). Maternal mortality
Author
Margot Cooijmans started in December 2016 as the Director of Philips Foundation, and added Philips Foundation Impact Investments B.V. in 2021. Trained as a lawyer and after being a company lawyer for three years in a listed publishing company, Margot started setting up her own businesses and led companies to growth.
