From the newsletter
A Kenyan Artificial Intelligence service for maternal healthcare, PROMPTS, is set to incorporate climate data to tackle heat and disaster-related risks. The service aims to provide tailored guidance for managing risks such as dehydration and preterm births linked to rising temperatures, benefiting over 3 million women enrolled on the platform.
The platform will utilise AI and climate forecasting to deliver critical information to users on when to stay indoors, increase fluid intake, and avoid flood-affected areas.
PROMPTS is also being piloted in Eswatini, Ghana, and Nigeria, with plans to expand its reach across Africa.
More details
The PROmoting Mothers in Pregnancy and Postpartum Through SMS (PROMPTS) project is a collaboration between Jacaranda Health, a Kenyan non-profit that collaborates closely with the government to improve maternal healthcare in public hospitals, the Kenyan government and The Rockefeller Foundation, which has facilitated pilot programmes and scaling efforts. So far, PROMPTS has enhanced maternal healthcare and plans to incorporate climate data to address health risks associated with extreme weather. The project is set to expand into Eswatini, Ghana, and Nigeria, focusing on providing targeted climate-related health alerts.
PROMPTS was developed by Jacaranda Health. Women can enrol in the service for free at public health facilities in 23 counties. The system employs AI to manage a large volume of inquiries, successfully answering about 70% of the daily 10,000 to 12,000 questions automatically within minutes. The remaining 30% are directed to trained nurses for further assistance.
The AI system is designed to classify inquiries based on urgency and type, boasting an accuracy rate of 90-93%. This capability allows the platform to respond swiftly to common concerns while flagging more serious cases for human intervention. The service is cost-effective [feels like an opinion / promotion…], with a lifetime cost of just $0.74 per mother using PROMPTS, making it viable for national scaling.
Data from the platform indicates significant improvements in healthcare engagement among enrolled users. Women using the service are 20% more likely to attend the recommended four or more prenatal visits and are 1.85 times more likely to seek postpartum family planning services. Additionally, users are 18% more likely to have two or more postpartum care visits.
Beyond supporting mothers, the platform is gathering valuable health data that could inform national public health policies. By collecting information on maternal health issues, access to care, and the impact of climate events, the service creates a feedback loop that can enhance healthcare delivery and inform policy decisions. This data is expected to play a crucial role in addressing broader systemic challenges in maternal healthcare as climate-related risks continue to escalate.
Our take
PROMPTS exemplifies the intersection of AI and climate-smart healthcare in Africa. The integration of climate data into healthcare is a necessary evolution. As climate change intensifies, these innovations will become increasingly vital for maternal health, assisting women in adapting to harsher environments.
To enhance effectiveness, it is essential to further personalise the AI system by incorporating local climate variables and health histories. This approach will ensure that PROMPTS continues to provide precise care in regions significantly impacted by climate change.