Nigeria’s Helium Health gets $2.5m Google.org grant to deploy AI in maternal healthcare

Nigerian e-health startup Helium Health has received a US$2.5 million grant from Google.org to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that improve maternal healthcare delivery in the country.

Founded in 2016, Helium Health takes hospitals and clinics instantly digital with its flagship Electronic Medical Records/Hospital Management Information System (EMR/HMIS) product, the most widely used such solution in West Africa.

The company is among 15 global recipients of the US$30 million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation. The initiative backs organisations that work with governments to improve public service delivery.

The funding will support the deployment of clinical AI models through Helium Health’s maternal health initiative, HeliumMum, across the Lagos, Delta, Kano and Oyo states. Lagos will serve as the main launchpad. Helium Health will also join a dedicated Google.org Accelerator programme, where it will receive technical support from Google engineers and AI product experts.

Through HeliumMum, Helium Health will deploy AI tools that help pregnant women identify potential complications early and connect them with appropriate healthcare providers. The platform links women to facilities equipped with electronic medical records and AI-powered clinical decision support systems, so healthcare professionals can make better-informed decisions. It will also give governments actionable data to strengthen maternal health services and identify gaps in care.

The startup aims to reach an additional 1.9 million women over three years and contribute to a 30 per cent reduction in maternal mortality. Helium Health has already reached more than 3.5 million women through its maternal health initiatives over the past decade.

“Nigeria accounts for nearly three in every 10 maternal deaths globally. Behind every maternal death is a woman whose family expected her to come home,” said Dr Shona Oluwatola, head of public health at Helium Health.

“By equipping the 15 selected organisations with funding and pro bono support from Google’s own AI experts, we are empowering the people closest to the problem to show what is truly possible,” said Maggie Johnson, global head of Google.org.

The post Nigeria’s Helium Health gets $2.5m Google.org grant to deploy AI in maternal healthcare appeared first on Disrupt Africa.