A new AI-driven dashboard launched in Ghana aims to improve access to emergency obstetric care amid significant challenges. This tool, developed with the OnTIME Consortium, utilizes traffic data to estimate travel times to care facilities, enabling better resource allocation and intervention planning. The initiative supports Ghana’s efforts in reducing maternal mortality and builds on Google Research Africa’s focus on leveraging technology for health-related challenges.
Accessing emergency obstetric care poses a significant challenge for women across the globe, particularly in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Obstacles such as traffic congestion, deteriorating road infrastructure, and lacking transportation options transform what should be a short journey into a life-threatening ordeal. This critical delay contributes to the alarming statistic of a maternal death occurring every two minutes worldwide, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa.
In response to this pressing issue, a dashboard was introduced in 2023 to enhance access to emergency obstetric care. Developed in collaboration with the OnTIME Consortium, this tool utilizes AI-driven traffic predictions similar to those used in Google Maps. It estimates the travel time to the nearest emergency obstetric care facilities, enabling decision-makers to pinpoint areas needing urgent attention and intervention.
The launch of this tool in Ghana represents a significant step forward. Ghana has successfully reduced maternal mortality in recent decades and seeks to continue this positive trend through innovative solutions. This AI-driven tool is expected to bolster ongoing efforts and facilitate continued advancements.
Notably, the tool is already proving effective in Nigeria, where it has enabled organizations such as Emergency Resources Africa to deploy community first responders to high-risk areas, optimizing resource allocation based on travel time data.
According to Dr. Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas, leader of the OnTIME Consortium, the tool provides a more realistic perspective on the challenges pregnant women face in accessing emergency care in Greater Accra. This comprehensive understanding empowers policymakers to focus on high-risk areas and create targeted interventions.
This initiative builds on Google Research Africa’s commitment to employing technology to tackle local and global challenges. Current projects include advancements in food security, language processing, and weather prediction, showcasing a diverse approach to community empowerment.
The collaboration with partners in Ghana is anticipated to yield significant benefits, with plans to broaden the tool’s impact across additional countries in the months ahead. By harnessing technology, there is a prevailing hope to enhance access to emergency obstetric care and ultimately save the lives of mothers and newborns in Africa and beyond.
This article emphasizes the critical role of a newly launched AI-driven dashboard in improving access to emergency obstetric care in Ghana. By addressing barriers such as traffic and transportation challenges, this tool aims to enhance the way decision-makers allocate resources and prioritize interventions. With ongoing collaborations and a commitment to leveraging technology, significant advancements in maternal health care are expected, which can save countless lives.
Original Source: blog.google
