Ghana Health Service launches projects to revolutionize maternal and newborn health

In a move to address persistent maternal and newborn health challenges, the Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with USAID’s Center for Innovation and Impact (CII), Grand Challenges Canada, and AMP Health, has launched ten innovative pilot projects under the Country Innovation Platform (CIP) Ghana Pilot partnership.

The projects, spanning six priority regions, are designed to tackle critical healthcare gaps, including emergency transport, healthcare worker training, and the availability of essential medicines.

Each initiative was selected from an open funding call and will receive approximately CAD 250,000 over 12 to 21 months to develop and test solutions aimed at reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates.

The ten locally-led projects address four key outcomes: Improved communication and tracking in patient referrals, Better access to emergency transport for pregnant women and newborns, Enhanced skills of healthcare workers in maternal and newborn emergency services, and Increased availability of essential medicines and supplies.

Some standout projects include:
• Maame-Dromo: A digital innovation platform empowering maternal and newborn health.

• M’enaApp: A real-time tracking system for maternal and neonatal referrals.

• Tricycle Ambulances: Offering life-saving transportation in rural communities.

• ENCOMPAS: Using AI to improve communication for pregnancy and newborn care.

Partnerships and funding
Grand Challenges Canada, a key partner in this initiative, has provided the financial backbone for the projects, granting CAD 250,000 to each.

The support will enable project teams to explore creative solutions, ranging from artificial intelligence to community-based emergency management systems.