December 24 marked a turning point for community health in Côte d'Ivoire with the launch of mHealth in the Poro region. This rollout, which covers the five health districts of Mbengue, Korhogo 1, Korhogo 2, Sinématiali, et Dikodougou, represents a significant step forward in the digital transformation of the country's community healthcare system.
Two-stage training: IDEs and CHWs at the heart of the system
To ensure smooth and effective adoption of mHealth, implementation began with a two-stage training programme:
1.training for FDI The nurses were trained on their specific tool as well as on the tools designed for Community Health Workers (CHWs). This dual skill set enables nurses to supervise CHWs while using mHealth to manage inputs, supervise care and ensure real-time data feedback via the Monitor interface.
2. Training of CHWs by IDEs In a second phase, the IDEs themselves trained the CHWs, thus strengthening their skills in household census, prenatal and postnatal monitoring, vaccination and the management of medical inputs. This participatory approach helped to build local capacity and ensure full ownership of the platform by the end-users.
Impressive results after just two weeks
Barely two weeks after going live, the first results show the impact of mHealth in the five health districts of Poro :
- More than 20,000 households surveyed Impressive fieldwork by CHWs, providing an essential database for planning health interventions.
- More than 13,000 children under 5 registered : Allowing precise monitoring of vaccinations and paediatric care.
- Over 1,200 pregnant women enrolled : Guaranteed prenatal and postnatal care, with particular attention paid to isolated regions.
These results confirm the effectiveness of mHealth in strengthening community health by collecting reliable data and optimising care for vulnerable populations.
A digital revolution at the service of public health
mHealth stands out for its adaptability and technical robustness:
- Offline operation For use in areas with poor connectivity.
- Interoperability with DHIS2 : The data collected is integrated directly into the national system, providing real-time visibility of public health indicators.
- Modular approach : The modules for census-taking, input management, vaccination campaigns and patient monitoring provide a holistic approach to community needs.
Next steps and outlook
The long-term aim is to extend mHealth to other regions of the country, capitalising on the lessons learned from this first phase in Poro. The commitment of the IDEs and CHWs, coupled with feedback from the beneficiary communities, forms a solid basis for adjusting and improving the system.
In Côte d'Ivoire, mHealth is much more than a technology platform: it's an engine of transformation for the healthcare system, an empowerment tool for healthcare workers, and a promise of a future where every woman, child and community has access to quality care.
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