Combining everyday technology with health concerns, a Mumbai NGO has launched a unique service to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers get medicine reminders and also valuable advice. Somita Pal reports
Pregnant women and new mothers getting messages about when to take their medicines to ensure they don't default! Yes, it's happening. And it's thanks to Mumbai-based gynaecologist Aparna Hegde and her healthcare initiative, Advancing Reduction Mortality and Morbidity of Mothers, Children and Neonates (ARMMAN).
As a medical student at the LTMG Sion hospital, Hegde closely observed pregnant women, many of whom had come with problems like anaemia, gestational diabetes and complications during delivery but had little awareness of issues concerning their own health.
Years later, Hegde remembered those early days and started ARMMAN, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the well-being of mothers and children under five. In December 2013, the NGO joined hands with Sion hospital and launched a pilot project where enrolled expecting mothers were given health related advice, related to not just pregnancy but also childcare.
"It is a known fact that patients try to default on taking medicines. Some forget to take medicine and some purposely default," said Hegde. "We have introduced timed and targeted voice messaging service for pregnant women and mothers that will remind them to take medicines on time. The messages are recorded in local language and has information on what precautions one needs to take in pregnancy."
About 700 women have already registered with Mobile Mitra initiative. While enrolling, they have to inform us about a convenient time when they want to get the message, the language preferred and the month of pregnancy.
According to Hegde, till the woman gives birth, messages will be sent twice a week; after birth, the message will be sent once a day for a week. With most civic run hospitals facing problems of many patients and too few doctors, this has come as a boon to expecting mothers.
"We have the facility of call back in case the woman misses our call and has queries," said Hegde.
Mumbai's civic authority, BMC, is now considering making the facility available across the city. "This is initial stage and currently patients are happy with this service. We have to see the long term effect," said Avinash Supe, dean of Sion hospital.
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