Helium Health gets Google.org boost for maternal AI

##A $2.5 million grant to improve maternal healthcare

Nigerian health technology company Helium Health has received a $2.5 million grant from Google.org to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) solutions aimed at improving maternal healthcare in Nigeria.

The funding will support the company's maternal health initiative, HeliumMum, which is expected to expand across four states: Lagos, Delta, Kano and Oyo. Lagos will serve as the main launch location for the project.

Helium Health was selected as one of 15 organisations worldwide under Google's $30 million Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation. The programme supports organisations working with governments to use artificial intelligence to improve public services.

Alongside the grant, Helium Health will receive technical support from Google engineers and AI product experts through a dedicated accelerator programme.

##How the AI tools will help pregnant women

The project focuses on helping pregnant women identify possible health risks early and access appropriate medical care.

Through HeliumMum, Helium Health plans to introduce AI-powered tools that can help identify potential pregnancy complications and connect women with suitable healthcare providers.

The platform will also link women to health facilities equipped with electronic medical records and AI-powered clinical decision support systems. This will help healthcare professionals access important patient information and make better-informed decisions when treating pregnant women.

Another important part of the project is providing governments with useful healthcare data. This information can help authorities understand where maternal health services are lacking and identify areas that need improvement.

Helium Health hopes to reach an additional 1.9 million women over three years and contribute to a 30 per cent reduction in maternal mortality.

The company says its maternal health initiatives have already reached more than 3.5 million women over the past decade.

##Why maternal healthcare technology matters in Nigeria

Maternal healthcare remains a major concern in Nigeria. According to Helium Health's Head of Public Health, Dr Shona Oluwatola, the country accounts for nearly three in every ten maternal deaths globally.

For many pregnant women, getting the right medical attention at the right time can make the difference between life and death. However, access to quality healthcare, early identification of complications and properly equipped health facilities remains important.

This is where technology could make a real difference.

For example, if an AI tool helps a healthcare worker identify a possible pregnancy complication early, the woman can be referred for further medical attention before her condition becomes more serious.

Digital medical records can also make it easier for healthcare professionals to access patient information and understand their medical history.

However, technology cannot solve every problem on its own. Hospitals still need trained healthcare workers, essential medical equipment, medicines and reliable emergency services.

Helium Health's new partnership with Google.org could therefore be an important step towards strengthening maternal healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Ultimately, the project's success will depend on how effectively these tools reach pregnant women and help healthcare workers provide better care. For mothers and their families, the most important outcome is simple: safer pregnancies and more women surviving childbirth.