Ekiti Launches WhatsApp Care for Pregnant Women

Expectant mothers in rural Nigeria no longer need to choose between a long journey to the clinic or staying home without care.

Ekiti State has launched a digital health system that allows pregnant women and nursing mothers to consult with healthcare workers via phone calls and WhatsApp messages. The initiative targets women who previously avoided medical services due to distance or financial constraints.

"It will not be compulsory for patients to get to the facilities before they can have access to care," said Mrs. Olusola Gbenga-Igotun, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Human Services. Women can now call health workers, explain their symptoms, and receive guidance from their homes.

The program was introduced during a stakeholders' meeting in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, organized by the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with ACIOE Foundation and Nigeria Health Watch. Similar programs are already running in Lagos and Kaduna states.

The digital solution addresses a surprising gap in healthcare access. Despite government efforts to link health facilities to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, many women still reported that clinics were too far or inconvenient to reach.

Health workers don't just provide phone consultations. Partner organizations also visit communities to educate residents about the benefits of these digital platforms and how to use them effectively.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends beyond individual phone calls. Ekiti State is simultaneously renovating facilities at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels while ensuring they're staffed with qualified personnel and essential medications.

The program demonstrates how technology can work alongside traditional healthcare infrastructure. When phone consultations reveal serious concerns, women receive referrals to facilities close to them, ensuring they get appropriate care without unnecessary travel.

ACIOE Foundation Director Olukunle Daramola noted that the system shows "strong potential to improve maternal health outcomes when integrated into existing health systems." The foundation's Maternal Health Advocacy and Communications project supports state governments through policy advocacy and private sector engagement.

Challenges remain, including workforce shortages, fragmented data systems, and uneven service quality across regions. Daramola called for improved digital infrastructure in underserved communities and enhanced digital literacy among frontline health workers.

The state government is investing heavily to ensure success. Officials are integrating digital maternal health into state health strategies, scaling up proven models across healthcare centers, and working to sustain services through the state health insurance reimbursement model.

For women in remote villages, the ability to reach a healthcare professional without leaving home represents a fundamental shift in access to care.