Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. The West African country is one of “the most dangerous places in the world to give birth.” Deaths in pregnancy and childbirth have plunged 74 per cent since 2000, according to United Nations figures.
The appointment of Abdul Malik Tejan-Sie, a tech-savvy genius, as the Director of the country’s Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation is about to change this disturbing narrative.
On Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, Tejan-Sie’s Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation Sierra Leone (DSTI), in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), launched the Pregnancy Registration and Service Tracking application (PReSTrack), a life-saving digital app to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in Sierra Leone.
PReSTrack is a web and mobile application that tracks pregnancies, connects Sierra Leonean women with healthcare facilities, and monitors high-risk pregnancies, saving the lives of pregnant women in Sierra Leone.
Implementing a woman-centred healthcare intervention reinforces the idea of drawing practical considerations on the relationship between women’s health, social fairness, and respect for human dignity
Abdul Malik Tejan-Sie
Internet connectivity in Sierra Leone is still in its creeping stages, thus PReSTrack works both online and offline to ensure accessibility in remote areas with limited internet connectivity.
PReSTrack will support the Government of Sierra Leone’s plan to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 770 per 100,000 live births to 300 per 100,000 live births through data-driven interventions, according to DSTI.
Dr Austin H. Demby, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Health said the app is a groundbreaking initiative to positively influence pregnancy outcomes.
He said during the launching that, “PReSTrack marks a significant milestone in our efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.”
Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Sengeh, in his speech, lauded the collaboration between DSTI and MoH in supporting one of the President’s visions for innovative healthcare solutions.
“The development of PReSTrack underscores our commitment to ensuring safe reproductive health and radical inclusion,” said Dr Sengeh.
