Thanks to the use of mobile technology in the region of Kedougou, in Senegal, already 72 women in need for emergency obstetric care, in four different areas in Kedougou, were referred to appropriate health facilities. 

In the Kedougou region of Senegal, 15 women have been saved by access to emergency obstetric care since our project started a few weeks ago, 

One of the main difficulties for communities in Kedougou is lack of access to proper medical care during an emergency, bad roads and lack of communications systems are a big problem. This has resulted in Kedougou region having  the highest maternal death rate in Senegal, which is twice the national average.

The use of mobile phones has been increasing at an accelerated rate all over Africa. In some regions we have seen the impact on health systems, where health centres are now able to call hospitals for an ambulance when there is an emergency. 

While mobile phone coverage may exist it is not always used to its full potential to improve social services. Mobile coverage comes at a cost, and resources are not available to all.  Ways must be found to make networks more accessible so they can be used to promote access to health care across the rural sector where long distances and bad roads make it all the more essential to provide a timely referral system for patients suffering complications.