2017 ICT4D Conference

The World Health Organization (WHO) developed a paper-based Partograph, which is the single most used tool for monitoring labor and reducing labor complications in developing countries. The Partograph facilitates the tracking of maternal condition, fetal condition and cervical dilation versus the time during labor. If the tool is used correctly, it can be useful in early detection of serious maternal and fetal complications during labor, especially in rural areas, where access to adequate medical facilities is a challenge.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 800 women die every day due to pregnancy and childbirth complications and 73% of all global maternal deaths are because of direct obstetric causes. In a study recently done in Kenya, 88.2% of the 1057 evaluated patient records contained a Partograph and only 23.8% of these forms had been filled in correctly. This is something very common for developing countries where lack of training and continuing education, worsened by limited resources, represent serious barriers to effective Partograph use.

With the high growth of technology innovation particularly the use of mobile phones in delivering health services within health facilities, Save the Children International Kenya programme is working to address the challenges associated with the use of paper-based partograph system and has developed a digital mobile-based partograph system. The system provides real-time decision making in monitoring of the labor process and triggers the appropriate interventions. It is being piloted in 15 health facilities in Bungoma County, Kenya.

Join us while we take you through the exciting game-changing project in kenya that seeks to contribute in reducing labor related deaths.