AI technology is being utilized in Ghana to improve access to emergency obstetric care. A newly introduced dashboard, developed with the OnTIME Consortium, leverages traffic predictions to estimate travel times to medical facilities. This initiative aims to support decision-makers in addressing accessibility challenges and enhancing maternal health outcomes, building on Ghana’s recent advancements in reducing maternal mortality.
Accessing emergency obstetric care poses a significant challenge for many women globally, particularly in urban regions where obstacles such as traffic congestion, inadequate road conditions, and limited transportation options can complicate what should be a short trip. This delay contributes to alarming statistics, with a maternal death occurring every two minutes worldwide and a concentrated prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2023, a new dashboard was introduced to tackle this urgent issue by providing valuable insights into access to emergency obstetric care. Developed in partnership with the OnTIME Consortium, this tool employs AI-driven traffic predictions similar to those used by Google Maps, allowing for the estimation of average travel times to the nearest emergency facilities. Its primary objective is to equip decision-makers with the necessary data to identify and address geographic accessibility challenges.
The launch of this innovative tool in Ghana is particularly significant as the nation has achieved notable advancements in reducing maternal mortality rates over recent decades. The initiative aligns with Ghana’s commitment to further improving these metrics through inventive solutions, further enhancing existing efforts to promote maternal health.
In Nigeria, this tool has already proven instrumental in helping decision-makers efficiently allocate resources. For instance, Emergency Resources Africa has utilized this data to reposition community first responders to regions where women are likely to experience prolonged travel times to emergency care.
Dr. Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, leader of the OnTIME Consortium, emphasizes that this tool provides policymakers and service planners a realistic understanding of the challenges pregnant women encounter in accessing emergency obstetric care in Greater Accra. This insight facilitates the prioritization of high-risk areas for targeted interventions.
This initiative builds upon Google Research Africa’s continuous efforts to leverage technology in addressing local and global challenges. Current projects also include initiatives related to food security, language access, and weather forecasting.
As we embark on this partnership in Ghana, we anticipate the successful implementation of this tool and its expansion to additional countries in the near future. We remain optimistic that through collaborative efforts, technology can effectively enhance access to emergency obstetric care, ultimately saving the lives of mothers and newborns throughout Africa and beyond.
In summary, AI-driven technology is poised to significantly improve access to emergency obstetric care in Ghana by offering data-driven insights into travel times and accessibility. This innovative tool aims to empower decision-makers to allocate resources effectively, thereby addressing maternal health challenges. Collaborative efforts underscore the potential for technology to enhance healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns in Ghana and other regions.
Original Source: blog.google
