Facebook Post - by Nakuru County Government on 13th January 2021
County Government of Nakuru in collaboration with Kabarak University has introduced the utilization of smartwatches to identify mothers with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. This is through implementing evidence-based interventions in the community to address the causes of deaths especially preeclampsia and eclampsia in expectant women. Expectant mothers will be able to monitor their blood pressure throughout the day and give timely reports in case of any abnormality.
This is following a Research study done by Kabarak in the County that helped to map out various levels of health facilities reporting high prevalence preeclampsia and eclampsia. Dr Moses Thiga, a researcher at Kabarak University said the University will offer Smartwatches to at least 150 expectant mothers during the first phase of Implementation targeting Level 3 and 4 facilities.
According to the County Reproductive Health Coordinator, Ms Clara Kerich, these conditions happen to pregnant women across all ages. The use of smartwatches will help increase surveillance, early detection and identification of women who may develop the condition early enough for care. She added that the County will ensure Health workers are trained and data collected used to improve Antenatal Care and other hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.
Also present was the County Partners Liason Officer, Dr Toromo Kochei, Deputy County Chief Nursing Officer, Ms Judith Abong'o, and the County ICT officer for Health, James Maina Ndung'u.
https://www.facebook.com/691631977553277/posts/3819209621462148/?sfnsn=mo
Dr Moses M Thiga, Principal Investigator, Maternal Health Project, Kabarak University
Ms Clara Kerich, Nakuru County Reproductive Health Coordinator