With an estimated 6,000 women and 35,000 newborns losing their lives annually in Kenya due to various complications, it aims to significantly reduce these tragic figures
M-Mama Program was launched in Kenya last month on June 21 by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with USAID and aims at offering a lifeline to pregnant women and newborns facing complications.
It creates a network of local taxi drivers, known as ‘taxi ambulances,’ to swiftly transport expectant mothers and their infants to appropriate healthcare facilities, particularly in areas where ambulances are rarely available.
M-mama provides a free charge number, a 24/7 dispatch centre and an app.
With an estimated 6,000 women and 35,000 newborns losing their lives annually in Kenya due to various complications, it aims to significantly reduce these tragic figures. Developed in partnership with USAID, Vodafone Foundation, Safaricom, and M-PESA Foundation, the program leverages mobile technology and collaboration to ensure timely access to emergency transport services.
At the core of the M-Mama Program is a comprehensive emergency referral system, managed by clinically trained dispatchers who facilitate the process of referring and confirming facility availability for women and newborns in critical situations.
Through this system, the program aims to overcome the delays that often occur in reaching healthcare facilities, which have been identified as a significant contributing factor to maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
The establishment of a network of taxi drivers as ‘taxi ambulances’ fills a crucial gap in areas where traditional ambulances are scarce. This innovative approach utilizes existing resources and local knowledge to provide prompt and reliable transportation to healthcare centers.
Recognizing the need for sustainable funding and support, the partners involved in the M-Mama Program have pledged a substantial investment of approximately 1.9 billion Kenyan Shillings.
USAID has committed 701 million Shillings, while Vodafone Foundation and M-PESA Foundation have pledged an additional 1.2 billion Shillings. This financial commitment underscores the collective determination to save lives and improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.
The M-Mama Program aligns with Kenya’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. It addresses a critical aspect of maternal and newborn health, ensuring that timely referrals and transportation are available to those in need.
As the program takes root, it is anticipated that collaborations and partnerships in the healthcare sector will be catalyzed, further enhancing safe motherhood practices.
M-Mama is a 24-hour affordable emergency transport service that seeks to connect mothers and newborns to vital life-saving healthcare in rural areas using mobile technology to ensure medical workers can respond to emergencies promptly.
