Nigerian e-health startup Helium Health has secured a US$2.5 million grant from Google.org to deploy artificial intelligence solutions aimed at improving maternal healthcare across Lagos, Delta, Kano and Oyo states.
The funding is part of the US$30 million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation, which selected 15 organisations globally to develop solutions that improve public service delivery.
Lagos will serve as the main launchpad for the initiative. Through its HeliumMum programme, Helium Health will introduce AI-powered clinical decision support tools to help pregnant women identify potential complications early and connect with healthcare facilities equipped with electronic medical records.
The initiative will also provide participating governments with data to identify gaps in maternal healthcare services and support clinical decisions at healthcare facilities. Helium Health will receive technical support from Google engineers and AI product experts through a dedicated accelerator programme.
Over three years, the company aims to reach an additional 1.9 million women and contribute to a 30% reduction in maternal mortality. This builds on its maternal health initiatives, which have reached more than 3.5 million women over the past decade.
Founded in 2016, Helium Health provides digital healthcare solutions, including its flagship Electronic Medical Records and Hospital Management Information System, which is the most widely used solution of its kind in West Africa.
Dr Shona Oluwatola, Helium Health’s Head of Public Health, said Nigeria accounts for nearly three in every 10 maternal deaths globally.
The grant will support the expansion of AI-powered healthcare tools and data systems intended to strengthen maternal health services across the four Nigerian states.
