67% lactating mothers and 25% expecting mothers, among a million, now enjoy the benefits of a mobile health service, said to be the world’s largest mobile health platform. Provided by the Aponjon project, the service is operated by dnet, and supported by the Bangladesh government and USAID, disclosed dnet at an event yesterday in the capital.
Aponjon is a mHealth service imparting maternal and neonatal health information through mobile phones. The project began operating nationwide in Bangladesh from December 2012, and by September last year, the mobile health service had 1 million beneficiaries, including lactating and expecting mothers, and their guardians.
To get this service, which costs Tk2.30, one dials 16227 through any mobile operator. This service offers a mother or her gatekeeper weekly-based health and nutrition messages.
To reach 10 million mothers nationwide by 2020, dnet plans to offer this health service for free to underprivileged women, who count as 5% among the beneficiaries, and also to send messages related to child development and also multimedia and mobile app services in the coming year.
A pregnant woman and beneficiary of the Aponjon project from a rural part of Bagura told the Dhaka Tribune: “The mobile messages remind me of things I must do before my baby is born. For example, though I knew I should check my blood group, and prepare a blood donor before the delivery, I delayed for no reason. But when I received the messages from Aponjon to do the blood test and find a blood donor, I felt rushed and immediately did it.”
Another beneficiary from Rajshahi, a husband, said: “I like the message that goes, ‘As a father you have some responsibilities. If you find any problems with your child’s health, go to a health complex; if your child catches a cold or fever, then go to a doctor.’”
At the event, special guest Mellissa Jones, Director of USAID’s Population, Health, Nutrition, and Education programme, said: “Bangladesh can be the leader in providing mobile health services.” Addressing dnet’s initiatives to launch this project in Bangladesh, she said: “In the future, you can do even more to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes.”
Terming the Aponjon project an example for all, she said the project is running under the coordination of the government and NGOs.
