AI-Powered Chatbot Answers Mothers' Health Questions in Kenya
An AI system called PROMPTS aims to reduce maternal mortality rates by providing health support via SMS to pregnant women and new mothers in Kenya.
Developed for pregnant women and new mothers in Kenya, an AI-powered chatbot called PROMPTS helps reduce maternal mortality rates by answering health questions through basic SMS messages.
The Origin Story of the System
A clinic network for pregnant women in Kenya set up an automated text messaging service for appointment reminders, and the process completely transformed when mothers began responding with health questions.
How the PROMPTS Chatbot Works
Jacaranda Health Chief Technology Officer Jay Patel noted that daily message volume has exceeded 15,000, prompting developers to launch PROMPTS, which understands patient questions, prioritizes them, and flags cases requiring urgent care.
Nurse Referrals for Urgent Cases
Approximately seven percent of the messages are deemed potentially urgent and are routed to a dedicated queue for nurses to review and call the mother.
Importance in Preventing Delays
It is known that around 6,000 women lose their lives due to pregnancy-related causes every year in Kenya, and about one-third of these deaths are linked to delays in seeking care.
Language Support and Expansion Process
Supporting English, Swahili, and Sheng, the system has also expanded to parts of Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania, serving an estimated 700,000 users annually.
Risk Management and Cost of Care
The system relies on an 18-person nursing team that monitors and oversees questions 24 hours a day, with a cost of about $2 per user covered by non-profit organizations.