Lowering Maternal Mortality in Developing Countries
through Telemedicine#2742 Okayama Sozan High School
Introduction
UHC (Universal Health Coverage), which means “to ensure that everyone should be able to receive health services at a low cost” is the basis of ourresearch. According to a 2019 UN agency report, between 2000 and 2017, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR, number of maternal deaths per 100,000
live births) dropped by about 38% worldwide. However, 94% of all maternal deaths still occur in low and lower middle-income countries. We focused ontelemedicine as a means to reduce this.

Contents①Childbirth in Developing Countries③Proposal
Japan
Development ofTelemedicine
1970s: The government started
to improve telemedicine.
Okayama, Seto inland sea: 85 remote island, no obstetrics and gynecology clinics

Developing Countries
Sub-Saharan Africa

Southeast Asia

Improvement of ICT environment
 Sudden change even in Africa

1.Importance of Professional Care Obstetric care from a health professional during delivery is critical in
reducing maternal mortality.
 The lowest coverage levels tend to be in the poorest countries wherematernal mortality levels are highest.
Maternal Mortality Rate
Japan… 5/100,000
World… 216/100,000

Area, Country
The maternal mortality
Status Some developing countries put
more energy into improvement ofcommunication than into that ofany other type of infrastructure.
▲Mobile connection of Sub-Saharan Africa

Telemedicine forPregnant Womenin Remote AreasEx.)
MMR 250/100,000 (2017)

Only about two in five (39%) births
are delivered by a skilled birthattendant compared to 62% at thenational level.

MMR 342/100,000 (2017)

Women living in mountainous
areas often deliver babies
assisted by families or neighbors.

Delays in medical treatment mean that pregnant women and babies areoften in danger, and MMR is high.

Melody International Company in Kagawa
We visited there on September 7th.
tablet◀ Fetal Monitor iCTG

Interview
It is effective for pregnant women to get the proper advice
from medical professionals.
This will prevent the onset and allow early detection of disease.

• Can check maternal and fetal
conditions via the internet, even at
distant locations• Assists doctors in difficult situations• Also used in Chiang Mai, Thailand

fetal heart monitor

Ms. Seki Noriko(obstetrician and gynecologist)

uterine contraction monitor

Our Plan①Lack of Transportation
 Unpaved road

State Road Pavement
Rate in Cambodia

15%supportPregnant(near birth)

CambodiaJapan

1/30,856

10%Road Pavement Ratein Sub-Saharan Africa

×4,15Support the High Risk Pregnant!!

1/6,844▲The number of accidents is

too high in Cambodia

Heart Sound
MonitorMaternity nurse▲Road deaths per 100,000 people

in Africa are high.

Remote Area

DataDoctor

AdviceCityConnect

Conclusion Telemedicine can support safe childbirth in developing countries, which contributes to an equal society.
References:岡山県カンボジアビジネスサポートデスク, カンボジアの交通問題, http://www.pref.okayama.jp/uploaded/life/330052_2863454_misc.pdf
WHO, maternal mortality, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality
The Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2019, https://www.gsma.com/r/mobileeconomy/sub-saharan-africa/
UNICEF taking stock of maternal health, https://data.unicef.org/resources/healthy-mothers-healthy-babies/, June 2019
The economist, Daily chart: Roads are becoming more deadly in developing countries, https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2017/09/29/roads-are-becoming-more-deadly-in-developing-countries