MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Wheels for Life

One-line solution summary:

COVID -19: Reducing Maternal Mortality during curfew hours in Kenya

Pitch your solution.

In order to curb the spread of COVID 19 and reduce social interactions, the Kenya government instituted a nation-wide curfew from 7pm to 5am, in which public transport services are not operational during these hours. The Institution of the curfew has created anxiety among pregnant women should labour ensue during the night. The woes of women across the country who are either having to deliver at home or walk miles to the nearest health facilities due to unavailability of public transport.

Our solution is to build on an existing Taxi Platform by connecting it to a TOLL FREE number for pregnant mothers to call and speak to an obstetrician/Gynaecologist. The doctor then authorises a Taxi to collect the patient. For advanced cases an ambulance is dispatched.

The solution is enabled by technology to bring a Taxi Company, Kenya Police and Physicians to contribute to SDG 3 on reducing maternal mortality.

Film your elevator pitch.

What specific problem are you solving?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a global pandemic has globally affected almost all countries, there have been 1,356,780 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 79,385 deaths, reported to World Health Organization (WHO).

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 focuses on the need to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births and end preventable neonatal death. In Kenya, the 2014 KDHS, recorded an estimate 362 deaths per 100,000 live births. Key among the issues impeding its reduction is limited access to health care facilities, an impediment associated with the current night time curfew instituted by the Kenya Government.

This solution sights the following goals

1. Ensure maternal health care at all times especially in times of emergency

2. Facilitate movement of obstetric emergencies both labour and miscarriage during curfew

hours to hospitals

3. Establish a triage system for mothers through telemedicine to ensure mothers are taken to the proper level of care which is level 4/5/6 hospital

4. As a Data collection point for maternal health care in association with COVID-19 pandemic work with different corporate and stakeholders to ensure easy flow of this programme for all the public.

5. Create public awareness

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Our solution is designed to provide access to hospital for women in labour who might present with obstetric emergencies is of utmost importance if we are to prevent an increase in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We propose certain considerations that may aid them to get to hospitals.

Most near-term women have already been on follow up in antenatal
clinics with a birth plan in place with their various caregivers. Our focus is
to facilitate their movement from their homes to their facility of choice.
We also are aware that many pregnant women have questions/concerns
that may be addressed via telephone by a health care provider.

We engage with them through the following

1. TeleMedicine Platform

2. Social Media

3. Toll Free line where they can call using a simple phone to speak to a specialist who speaks to them confidently understanding their needs and the necessary recommendations.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Deploying features that encourage contributions regardless of literacy and numeracy levels — including in contexts with limited internet coverage

Explain how the problem, your solution, and your solution’s target population relate to the Mission Billion Challenge WURI West Africa Prize and your selected dimension.

Our solution is a unique solution that targets pregnant women in low income areas and those in the informal economy. It targets the women savings schemes to ensure that their members do not suffer from mortality during curfew thereby affecting their economic abilities or capabilities.

Where is your solution team headquartered?

Nairobi, Kenya

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: An individual or organization building and testing a product, service, or model.

Who is the primary delegate for your solution?

Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, Chief Executive Officer