Mobile savings tool helps improve maternal care access in Madagascar

 


A cluster-randomized controlled trial published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance evaluates the impact of a novel mobile health intervention on maternal outcomes in Madagascar. The study focused on a "mobile health wallet" combined with ultrasound services, designed to encourage pregnant women to save funds specifically for healthcare-related expenses. In a setting where financial barriers often prevent women from seeking institutional deliveries, the intervention aimed to increase the utilization of skilled birth attendants by facilitating dedicated savings and digital payments.

The results demonstrate a positive correlation between the use of the mobile savings tool and improved antenatal care attendance. By integrating financial inclusion tools directly with health service delivery, the program addressed both the economic and logistical barriers to care. The study concludes that while clinical interventions are vital, financial technology (FinTech) solutions tailored to low-resource settings can play a decisive role in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates by ensuring women have the means to pay for life-saving services when they are needed most.

Read the original article at: https://publichealth.jmir.org/2025/1/e70182



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