Project MOM
Maternal Outcomes Modernization
Maternal deaths in Nepal are 190 in 100,000, with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) being one of the leading preventable causes. Medicines exist to reduce the risk of maternal death from PPH. However, they not reliably available in many areas of Nepal, despite the ability of well-trained Community Health Workers (CHW) to administer the medications. A 2014 study showed these medications were unavailable 65% of the time. Supplying CHWs with the medicines necessary to do their jobs is a simple intervention that will save lives.
OUR PROJECT
By distributing mobile phones to community health workers, we will transform paper-based supply requests - that can take weeks or months to fulfill and are easily lost - into real-time, text-based restock requests. With this change, ordering lifesaving medications will be as simple as calling a cab. No longer will medications sit on shelves in a central warehouse while moms and babies suffer - or die - needlessly. We are piloting this project in the Terhathum district of Nepal, working on the ground with community leaders. We provide the phones, the IT infrastructure and training to the community health worker network. We are collecting and analyzing the data on the impact of this new system on access to medications.
