African Mothers, IIJ, TOPPAN, and Toyota Tsusho Sign Memorandum on Collaboration - Objective is to Use Digital Technology to Improve Maternal and Child Healthcare in Cote d'Ivoire -
* This press release is a reproduction of the content originally published by Toyota Tsusho Corporation. For the official press release by Toyota Tsusho Corporation, please refer to their website. Please note that AfricanMothers Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Castalia Co., Ltd.
African Mothers Co., Ltd. ("African Mothers"), Internet Initiative Japan Inc. ("IIJ"), TOPPAN Holdings Inc. ("TOPPAN"), and Toyota Tsusho Corporation ("Toyota Tsusho") announced today that they signed a memorandum on collaboration to build and deploy a digital platform for the purpose of improving maternal and child healthcare in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.
1. Background
Although Cote d'Ivoire is an economic powerhouse in West Africa, its maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high. The reasons for this are the insufficient provision of accurate knowledge regarding pregnancy and childbirth to pregnant and postpartum women through means such as maternal and child health records and the lack of systematic management of information regarding mothers and children in hospitals. Consequently, improving maternal and child health is an urgent matter.
Under these circumstances, it is difficult for midwives to provide appropriate guidance based on past medical information. It is hoped that digitalization and centralized management of healthcare data will provide a solution.
2. This Initiative
Pursuant to the memorandum that was signed today, the four companies seek to develop and introduce a digital maternal and child records app. The app will enable midwives to input and share prenatal checkup records using a smartphone and allow pregnant women themselves to access their records using their own phones. As a result, not only will it be easier for pregnant and postpartum women to understand their own medical information, different midwives will also be able to share medical information, making it possible to provide continuous and appropriate health guidance to women.
In addition to the digital maternal and child records app, a system will be developed to centrally gather and manage healthcare information, such as vaccination history, facilitating the use of healthcare records in medical settings and leading to improved service quality.
Furthermore, a micro data center*1 will be established locally as infrastructure for ensuring the stable operation of the app and system, creating a framework for the continuous provision of maternal and child healthcare services as a whole.
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| UI image of the application*2 |
*1: A small-sized data center (approximately 1 to 2 meters in height) equipped with necessary equipment and functions such as air-conditioning and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that can be constructed in a short period of time.
*2: photos above are screens from the application provided by African Mothers for Tanzania.
3. Future Plans
Going forward, the four companies will establish a health guidance program centered on the digital maternal and child records app and plan and develop related apps and systems. Later, they will introduce and verify the effectiveness of a demonstration version in urban areas while cooperating with the national government and relevant organizations. Over the medium to long term, the service territory will be expanded and utilization of accumulated medical data and collaboration with other healthcare initiatives will be promoted with the aim of providing sustainable maternal and child health services.
4. Roles of Participating Companies
Overviews of Participating Companies
The information in this release is current as of the date of announcement.
Please note that information may change after the date of announcement. Thank you in advance for your understanding.