As we embrace the digitalization of health records, the relevance of Mobile Health (mHealth) becomes particularly pronounced in maternal health. The incorporation of Mobile Health (mHealth) emerges as a revolutionary approach, bringing healthcare to the palms of expectant mothers. The convergence of mobile technology with maternal care not only enhances accessibility but also fosters a proactive and empowered approach to pregnancy and childbirth. The transition from traditional paper-based health records signifies a leap forward in streamlined data management to the delivery of healthcare services, particularly in primary health care centers.
This transformative shift not only streamlines administrative processes but also ushers in a new era of enhanced patient care and this paradigm shift not only enhances overall patient care but also plays a pivotal role in addressing critical aspects of maternal health. For maternal health, this efficiency translates to improved tracking of prenatal and postnatal care, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate record of a mother’s health journey.
According to WHO, on the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, “Digital health can help make health systems more efficient and sustainable, enabling them to deliver good quality, affordable and equitable care”.
Digital health records facilitate seamless coordination of care when patients interact with multiple healthcare providers, whether within the same health center or across different facilities, the digitalization of records ensures that every healthcare professional involved in a patient’s care has access to up-to-date and accurate information and this interconnectedness leads to more coordinated and efficient care delivery.
Importantly, our impact health project underscores the need for real-time data that ensures that critical information, such as recent test results or changes in medication are available. The impact health app dashboard that receives all the data entered at primary care centers allows for continuous monitoring and contributes to improved outcomes for patients. Expectant mothers become active participants in their maternity journey through access to digital health records, noting that the ability to review pregnancy progress and engage with healthcare providers fosters a sense of empowerment and collaboration in maternal care.
“For high-risk pregnancies, continuous monitoring through digital devices and the data management dashboard, combined with virtual consultations, allows us to closely manage these cases and making the experience more organized”, said Mariam Tope a health worker in Osun under the impact health project veered towards improving Reproductive Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH). “Additionally, through the operations of the dashboard, we’ve noticed that patients are empowered to actively participate in their healthcare journey, providing access to their records, appointment schedules and test results which in turn fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration, whiles promoting a patient-centric approach to healthcare”.
Digital health records empower healthcare providers to implement preventive care measures and monitor patients’ overall health with reminders towards screenings, and follow-up appointments that ensure patients receive timely preventive care, contributing to the early detection and management of health issues.
While the benefits are evident, the successful integration of digital health records in primary health care centers for maternal health requires a comprehensive approach and training that considers the unique needs and sensitivities surrounding pregnancy and childbirth. However, the shift to digital health records streamlines administrative processes, reducing the time and labor required for manual data entry, retrieval, and organization. This operational efficiency not only enhances overall productivity but also minimizes the need for administrative staff dedicated solely to managing paper records.
The digital transformation of health records in primary care centers is not just a technological upgrade; it is a transformative journey with profound implications for maternal health. By embracing this evolution and integrating Mobile Health, HACEY via the impact health project is not only improving overall healthcare delivery but also redefining how we approach and enhance maternal care.
