MyBelle in Nigeria

About the project

MyBelle is an innovative solution designed to increase access to quality maternal and child health information and services for vulnerable pregnant women in Nigerian communities . The solution consists of three key components: a mobile application, a social community contributory health insurance program, and community health outreaches. 

The MyBelle mobile application is designed to provide women with access to reliable and up-to-date health information related to pregnancy and childbirth.The app features a range of educational materials, including information on prenatal care, healthy nutrition, and safe delivery practices.The app is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to women who may not have access to traditional sources of information or healthcare services. 

The social community contributory health insurance program is a unique aspect of the MyBelle solution. The program allows women to join together in small groups and pool their resources to purchase health insurance coverage. The insurance coverage provides women with access to quality maternal and child health services when they need them. This is particularly important for women living in poverty who may not be able to afford traditional health insurance programs. 

The community health outreaches are designed to educate women about maternal and child health and provide them with access to health services. During these outreaches, trained healthcare professionals will provide women with information about prenatal care, nutrition, and safe delivery practices. They will also offer health services, such as prenatal check-ups and vaccinations, to women in the community. 

In terms of scientific and technological elements, the MyBelle solution is built on the latest advances in mobile technology and digital health. The mobile app is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, and it utilizes cutting-edge algorithms and data analysis tools to provide women with relevant and personalized health information . Additionally, the social community contributory health insurance program leverages innovative financing models to make health insurance coverage more accessible to women living in poverty. 

The mobile application and community health outreaches have already been tested and refined through pilot projects in Nigeria. The social community contributory health insurance program is currently in the testing phase and will require further development and refinement to ensure that it meets the needs of women in the target communities. The MyBelle solution has the potential to make a significant impact on maternal and child health outcomes in Nigeria and other developing countries, and it will continue to be tested and refined in the coming years. 

The primary population that MyBelle is intended to reach are vulnerable pregnant women in Nigerian communities. These women face numerous challenges in accessing quality maternal and child health information and services, including geographical barriers, financial constraints, and limited health literacy. The MyBelle solution aims to address these barriers by providing accessible, affordable and high-quality maternal and child health information and services through a mobile application, social community contributory health insurance and community health outreaches. 

In the proposed transition to scale phase, MyBelle aims to reach a wider population beyond just pregnant women. This includes expectant fathers, families of pregnant women, and other members of the community who may benefit from the information and services provided by the solution. This could include, for example, women who are planning to become pregnant in the future, as well as children who will benefit from the health information and services provided to their mothers. 

The goal of reaching a wider population in the transition to scale phase is to create a more comprehensive and integrated approach to maternal and child health that addresses the needs of the entire community. By reaching a wider population, MyBelle aims to create a culture of proactive health engagement and improve the health outcomes of women, children, and families in Nigerian communities. 

MyBelle will also explore partnerships with healthcare providers, governments and non-governmental organizations to further increase access to quality maternal and child health information and services. This could include collaborations with healthcare providers to provide a comprehensive range of services and information through the MyBelle mobile application, as well as partnerships with governments and non-governmental organizations to improve access to health insurance and other resources that can support maternal and child health in Nigerian communities. 

About 150 women die daily due to pregnancy-related causes in Nigeria, making it the country that is responsible for 20% of the global burden of maternal mortality. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with many women dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth. This is largely due to inadequate access to quality maternal and child health services, as well as a lack of knowledge about proper prenatal care and childbirth practices. Additionally, poverty, cultural beliefs, and a lack of resources in rural communities also contribute to the problem. However, according to World Health Organisation (WHO), most of these deaths are preventable. MyBelle is addressing this health challenge by providing a comprehensive solution that increases access to quality maternal and child health information and services for vulnerable pregnant women in Nigerian communities. 

MyBelle adds value to other available digital health solutions by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to maternal and child health services. Unlike other digital health solutions that may focus on a narrow aspect of maternal and child health, such as telehealth or mobile health, MyBelle incorporates multiple components to create a more comprehensive solution.

One of the key ways that MyBelle adds value is through its use of a mobile application. The application provides pregnant women with access to quality maternal and child health information, which can be difficult to find in remote or underserved areas. Additionally, the app includes features such as telehealth consultations and a facility locator, which can be particularly beneficial for women who may not have access to transportation or who live in areas without adequate health facilities. These features can help to improve access to care and reduce the risk of maternal and child mortality.

Another way that MyBelle adds value is through its social community contributory health insurance component. This insurance provides a safety net for pregnant women, ensuring that they can access necessary maternal and child health services even if they cannot afford them. This is particularly important in Nigeria, where poverty and lack of access to health services are major contributors to maternal and child mortality. The insurance component helps to reduce the financial burden on women and their families, which can be a major barrier to accessing care.

MyBelle also adds value through its community health outreach component. This component provides a platform for pregnant women in hard-to-reach areas to have access to health providers and receive further maternal and child health services, including birth kits. This component helps to address the issue of poor access to health services in remote or underserved areas, and can help to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

In summary, the MyBelle solution serves as a personal assistant for pregnant women in the course of their journey from conception until their children reach the age of 5 years . Through these different components, the MyBelle solution aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes and reduce maternal and child mortality rates.