Technological Advances in Maternal Health in the Amazon: The Case of Mamás del Río
In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where roads become rivers and distances are measured in days of navigation, Mamás del Río emerges as a beacon of hope for communities facing limited medical care. Led by Dr Magaly Blas, with extensive experience in epidemiology and public health, this program has proven to be an innovative model for improving maternal and neonatal health through technology adapted to challenging environments. This article explores how the program has integrated technology to enhance care in rural and indigenous areas, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in this process.
CHECK THE FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
In this video, Dr Magaly Blas, an epidemiologist, introduces Mamás del Río, a program improving maternal and neonatal health in the Peruvian and Colombian Amazon. The program empowers community health workers with tablets for educational content and monitoring tools, transforming healthcare in remote areas.
CC are in English and many other languages.
Dr. Magaly Blas and Mamás del Río
Dr Magaly Blas is a physician from the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, with a master's and a doctorate in epidemiology from the University of Washington. She currently leads the Mamás del Río program, which aims to improve maternal and neonatal health in remote and indigenous communities in the Peruvian and Colombian Amazon. Besides directing the program, Dr Blas also plays a crucial role as head of the Political Advocacy Secretariat in Medicine and Public Health at the Medical College of Peru.
Using Technology to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health
Mamás del Río has implemented technology directly into the hands of community health workers, who play a vital role in their isolated communities. Each community worker receives a tablet that serves as an educational and monitoring tool. This tablet contains "digital stories," interactive narratives created in collaboration with the communities themselves, addressing specific maternal and neonatal health topics. During home visits, the tablet guides the workers on danger signs during childbirth and promotes safe childbirth practices, using multimedia content that deeply resonates with the local communities.
“We equip our community health workers with tablets that contain interactive educational content and monitoring tools. This not only facilitates education on maternal and neonatal care but also allows continuous health monitoring in communities where access to health centres is limited. We have demonstrated that it is possible to adapt technological tools to function without an internet connection, ensuring that critical information reaches even the most remote communities.”
Examples of Public-Private Collaborations
Strategic collaborations with public and private entities have been fundamental to the success of Mamás del Río. Under Dr. Blas’s leadership, the program has established strong partnerships with the Ministry of Health and regional governments, as well as support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Peru and Colombia. This partnership has facilitated the expansion of the program along the border, significantly improving access to healthcare in previously inaccessible areas. Additionally, the program has received funding from the Inter-American Development Bank and Grand Challenges Canada, which have supported key scaling and impact assessment initiatives.
“We work in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and regional governments, as well as international organisations, to scale the program and ensure its long-term sustainability.”
Research Methods and Impact Evaluation
Mamás del Río has used rigorous research methods to evaluate the impact of its interventions on maternal and neonatal health. Studies have been conducted before and after the program in selected communities, using repeated censuses to measure changes in health indicators. The results of these studies have been published in specialised journals, such as The Lancet Regional Health Americas, highlighting significant improvements in newborn care, the promotion of breastfeeding, and increased institutional deliveries.
“These results not only validate our strategy but also reinforce our commitment to continue innovating and adapting technologies to address the unique challenges faced by Amazonian communities.”
New Ideas from Collaborations
Successful collaborations have led to new initiatives within Mamás del Río. For instance, an innovative approach is being developed to address teenage pregnancy, a growing concern in the communities served by the program. Dr Lisa Lebita Woodson has worked on this line to understand why teenage pregnancy occurs and how to address it. Additionally, community empowerment has been strengthened through the creation of the Association of Indigenous Community Health Workers (AACOSIL), a platform that promotes local leadership and participation in health-related decision-making.
“Our goal is to ensure that every mother and child in the Amazon has equitable access to safe and effective healthcare.”
- Dr. Magaly Blas, Epidemiologist and Researcher, Director of Mamás del Río
With the right combination of technology, collaboration, and commitment, Mamás del Río has shown that it is possible to significantly improve maternal and neonatal care in the most remote and vulnerable regions of the continent. Despite initial challenges such as technology training and limited connectivity infrastructure, the program has implemented effective solutions in remote environments without constant internet access. The offline-operating application has facilitated adoption by community workers, allowing them to access essential educational resources and monitoring tools.
In conclusion, under the direction of Dr. Magaly Blas, Mamás del Río highlights the crucial importance of technological innovation and strategic partnerships in improving maternal and neonatal health in remote areas. Through public-private collaboration, the program has not only transformed lives and strengthened communities but also established a replicable model for regions with similar challenges. Continuous commitment to research and rigorous evaluation remains essential to guide future interventions and ensure a lasting impact on public health, thereby improving patient safety and quality in healthcare systems.