Makueni County is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly for expectant mothers. In collaboration with Jacaranda Health, a Kenyan non-profit organization, the county has implemented the PROMPTS system—an AI-driven digital health service designed to improve care-seeking behaviour among pregnant women.
PROMPTS operates by sending personalized SMS messages to mothers, tailored to their specific stage of pregnancy. This two-way communication platform not only provides timely health information but also includes an AI-enabled helpdesk that responds to inquiries and initiates rapid referrals if potential risks are detected.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has expressed strong support for the adoption of AI technologies in healthcare, emphasizing the county’s extensive mobile phone penetration as a strategic advantage. He stated, “Our strength lies in leveraging this mobile technology to tackle these maternal health issues, and I fully support the adoption of AI to help us advance our healthcare support.”
The partnership with Jacaranda Health is part of a broader initiative to deploy affordable and scalable solutions through government hospitals, aiming to sustainably improve the quality of maternal and newborn care. The recent collaboration with Google.org has further enhanced PROMPTS by improving the personalization and scalability of its AI interactions, including refining responses in Swahili to better serve users.
By embracing AI innovations like PROMPTS, Makueni County is setting a precedent for how technology can be harnessed to address healthcare challenges, ensuring that mothers receive timely and appropriate care throughout their pregnancy journey.
