By: Abdul Razack Gbla
Following a significant stride towards improving maternal health outcomes, Sierra Leone has unveiled the Pregnancy Registration and Service Tracking Application (PReSTack), aimed at reducing the nation’s maternal mortality rate. Developed to effectively monitor and track pregnant women across the country, PReSTack marks a pivotal advancement in Sierra Leone’s healthcare technology.
Announcing the launch, Sierra Leone’s Health Minister, Austin Demby, highlighted the transformative potential of PReSTack in safeguarding maternal health. The application is believed to maintain a comprehensive record of crucial maternal events nationwide, offering timely alerts for critical interventions that can potentially save lives.
Sierra Leone, known for its historically high maternal mortality rates, has seen a reduction in the maternal mortality ratio to 443 per 100,000 live births as of 2023, according to the United Nations. This progress shows the country’s dedication to achieving further milestones: aiming to lower the ratio to below 300 per 100,000 live births by 2025 and to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.
PReSTack’s implementation aligns with these ambitious targets, leveraging digital innovation to enhance maternal healthcare delivery. By providing real-time data on pregnancies and maternal health statuses, the application empowers healthcare providers with actionable insights to intervene proactively, thereby mitigating risks and improving health outcomes for expectant mothers.
The launch of PReSTack signals Sierra Leone’s proactive approach in harnessing technology to address longstanding healthcare challenges, particularly in maternal health. With its potential to revolutionise prenatal care and maternal health monitoring, PReSTack stands poised to play a pivotal role in advancing Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape towards sustainable development goals.
Citizens have always been calling on the government to prioritise maternal health initiatives. PReSTack represents a milestone in the nation’s strive towards achieving universal healthcare and ensuring the well-being of its mothers and infants.
For further information or inquiries, please contact the Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone and stay glue to the Olw newspaper.
