By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Ministry of Health on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 launched the Pregnancy Registration and Service Tracking Application (PReSTack) to address the country’s high maternal mortality rate. This innovative app is designed to monitor and track the health of pregnant women, aiming to significantly reduce maternal deaths.
PReSTack will document crucial maternal events nationwide and provide early warnings to facilitate life-saving interventions. The UN reports that the maternal mortality ratio dropped to 443 per 100,000 live births in 2023. The Ministry aims to further reduce this ratio to below 300 per 100,000 live births by 2025, and ultimately to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Health Minister Austin Demby expressed confidence that PReSTack will be instrumental in achieving these goals.
During the launch event, Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, the keynote speaker, highlighted that PReSTack will reduce delays and ensure timely medical responses. He assured that the app will complement, not replace, the work of nurses, enhancing their effectiveness. Dr. Sengeh also challenged the Ministry to aim for a maternal mortality rate of zero by 2038, officially inaugurating the application.
Developed by the Ministry of Health, the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), PReSTack, leverages technology to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. The app is designed to function both online and offline, ensuring accessibility in various settings.
