In a significant step towards improving maternal and child health outcomes in Kenya, Google has announced its support for Jacaranda Health’s innovative use of generative AI.

Jacaranda Health, a non-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing maternal and newborn health, will leverage Google’s AI technology to advance its PROMPTS digital health platform.

The Power of AI for Maternal Health

The PROMPTS platform currently provides essential health information and support to expectant and new mothers via SMS and WhatsApp. By integrating generative AI, Jacaranda Health aims to:

Personalise health information: Deliver tailored advice based on individual mothers’ needs and circumstances.
Improve response accuracy: Enhance the relevance and accuracy of answers to mothers’ health-related queries.
Enable language translation: Make the platform accessible to a wider range of users by offering real-time language translation.
Automate routine tasks: Streamline operations for health workers by automating routine tasks and providing decision support.

Scaling Impact with AI

Dr. Nick Pearson, CEO of Jacaranda Health, expressed the immense potential of AI to scale their impact and reach more mothers with life-saving information.

He stated, “With Google’s support, we can harness the power of AI to provide more personalised, timely, and effective care to mothers and babies across Kenya.”

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Google’s Commitment to AI for Good

Google’s involvement in this partnership includes providing technical support, access to AI tools, and funding to ensure the responsible development and deployment of the AI-enhanced platform.

The tech giant views this collaboration as an opportunity to demonstrate the positive impact of AI in addressing critical healthcare challenges in Africa.

The Three Pillars

The Jacaranda Health approach is centred around three key pillars:

Mothers are empowered to seek and demand timely, quality care.
Providers and facilities equipped to deliver high-quality, respectful care.
Health system managers are supported to deliver and finance quality services.

PROMPTS: Empowering Mothers

PROMPTS is a digital health platform that empowers women with information through SMS. By providing timely, relevant information, PROMPTS enables mothers to make informed decisions about their healthcare, ask questions during and after pregnancy, and receive targeted support and referrals if necessary.

MENTORS: Equipping Providers

MENTORS equip frontline nurses and midwives with the lifesaving emergency care skills and knowledge they need to provide high-quality, respectful care. Additionally, MENTORS empowers these providers to mentor and support their peers in facilities, improving overall performance and outcomes.

PULSE: Driving System Improvement

PULSE is a data-driven platform that combines real-time data from mothers, nurses, and facilities into actionable dashboards. These dashboards help governments better understand and address the gaps that hinder the provision of timely, quality care in maternal health systems.

Partnering with County Governments

Jacaranda currently partners with 22 Kenyan county governments to deploy their solutions. These partnerships have been instrumental in scaling their impact and reaching more mothers and babies.

Endorsed by National Governments

Jacaranda Health work has been endorsed for scale by the national Ministries of Health in Kenya, Eswatini, and Ghana. This recognition validates their approach and opens doors for further expansion.

Supported by Government Budgets

County governments in Kenya are sharing 70% of the running costs of the MENTORS program, demonstrating their commitment to our solutions.

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A Proven Track Record

Since 2016, Jacaranda has worked closely with Kenyan county governments and the Ministry of Health to improve quality of care and maternal and newborn health outcomes. Their package of solutions includes:

Driving positive health-seeking behaviours among women
Upskilling the frontline health workforce with lifesaving skills
Continuously improving quality of care in government health facilities

Key Achievements:

Over 2,350,000 mothers have received vital information and targeted referrals, empowering them to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
More than 700 health providers have been equipped with lifesaving skills and knowledge, enabling them to provide high-quality care to mothers and newborns.
Over 1,000 hospitals and health centers are utilizing Jacaranda’s solutions, expanding access to essential healthcare services.
More than 1,000,000 facility-based deliveries have been positively impacted through Jacaranda’s programs, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes.

Expanding Their Reach

Beyond Kenya, Jacaranda is working with the Ghana Health Service to test how the PROMPTS platform can improve maternal health care. In Eswatini, they are partnering with the Ministry of Health and the Clinton Health Access Initiative to use PROMPTS for infant immunisation tracking.

A Global Impact

Jacaranda Health’s proven track record and strong government partnerships make Jacaranda positioned to make a significant global impact. By working collaboratively with governments and leveraging technology, they can create a healthier future for mothers and babies worldwide.