🚀 Introduction: Transforming Maternal Care Through Technology
In the heart of Somaliland, a quiet revolution is taking place. As the sun rises over the arid landscape, healthcare workers armed with tablets and smartphones are transforming maternal care in ways previously unimaginable. This digital awakening is not merely about introducing new gadgets; it represents hope for thousands of mothers and newborns in a region where giving birth has historically been one of life’s most dangerous journeys.
Somaliland, a self-declared independent state in the Horn of Africa, faces one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates at 692 deaths per 100,000 live births. These staggering numbers tell a story of struggle, but also of resilience and the determination to create change. Today, that change is arriving through digital innovation, bringing specialized healthcare to even the most remote communities.
“For too long, our mothers have suffered in silence,” says Amina Hassan, a midwife at a newly digitized clinic in Hargeisa. “Today, with just a smartphone in my hand, I can connect a struggling mother to a specialist doctor in seconds. This technology is literally saving lives.”
This blog post explores how digital health technologies are revolutionizing maternal healthcare in Somaliland, the challenges being overcome, and the promising future that lies ahead as technology bridges gaps in healthcare access and quality.
1️⃣ The Maternal Health Crisis in Somaliland: Understanding the Challenge
📌 The Stark Reality of Maternal Health
Before we celebrate progress, we must acknowledge the harsh realities that have driven this technological revolution. Somaliland’s maternal health crisis is rooted in several interconnected factors:
- High maternal mortality rate of 692 per 100,000 live births
- Only 35% of the population has access to basic health services
- Just 2.5 physicians and 4.5 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, far below the WHO recommendation of 22.8 health workers per 10,000
- Regional disparities that leave rural women particularly vulnerable
- Financial barriers preventing access to quality maternal care
The situation is particularly dire in the Togdheer, Sool, and Sanaag regions, where women demonstrate reduced probabilities of accessing both public and private health facilities compared to other areas. These disparities create a maternal healthcare landscape where a woman’s chances of surviving childbirth often depend on her location and economic status rather than medical necessity.
🔸 The Impact of Poverty on Maternal Care
Research has consistently shown a strong correlation between poverty and limited maternal healthcare utilization in Somaliland. A recent study revealed that women from poorer households exhibit lower rates of antenatal care (ANC) visits and are less likely to choose institutional deliveries over home births. This underscores the significant financial barriers that deter healthcare utilization among vulnerable populations.
Despite initiatives to provide free maternal health services, poverty continues to impede access. The nexus between economic status and healthcare access remains one of the most significant barriers to improving maternal outcomes in the region.
⚠️ Traditional Practices and Cultural Barriers
Beyond economic factors, cultural practices and traditional beliefs continue to influence maternal healthcare decisions. Many women in rural areas still prefer home births attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) rather than seeking care at medical facilities. This preference is often rooted in cultural traditions, lack of trust in formal healthcare systems, and limited awareness about the benefits of professional medical care during pregnancy and childbirth.
“In our community, giving birth at home has been the tradition for generations,” explains Sahra, a 35-year-old mother of six from a rural village outside Borama. “But now, with mobile health workers who respect our traditions while bringing modern care, many of us are starting to change our minds.”
2️⃣ Digital Health: The Game-Changer for Maternal Care
💡 The Rise of Mobile Health Technologies
The turning point for maternal healthcare in Somaliland came with the rapid expansion of mobile technology across the region. Despite economic challenges, Somalia has experienced remarkable growth in mobile phone penetration, with approximately 15 million mobile phone connections by early 2024. This widespread adoption of mobile technology has created fertile ground for digital health interventions.
Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives have become the cornerstone of maternal healthcare innovation in Somaliland. These programs leverage the ubiquity of mobile phones to provide:
- Remote consultations with specialists
- SMS-based health education and appointment reminders
- Digital tracking of pregnancies and maternal health indicators
- Emergency referral systems
- Community health worker support and training
One particularly successful initiative has been the implementation of mobile pregnancy monitoring systems that allow community health workers to register pregnant women and track their progress throughout pregnancy. This system enables timely interventions when complications arise and ensures that high-risk pregnancies receive appropriate attention.
🔹 Telemedicine: Bringing Specialists to Remote Areas
Telemedicine represents another revolutionary advancement in Somaliland’s maternal healthcare landscape. In a country with severe shortages of specialized healthcare providers, telemedicine bridges the gap by connecting remote health facilities with urban specialists.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been instrumental in championing the deployment of telemedicine in Somalia’s healthcare system. By equipping existing healthcare institutions with digital technology, IOM is enhancing their capacity to provide healthcare services through remote diagnosis and treatment.
A telemedicine system typically combines several technological tools under a common framework to expand and enhance the delivery of healthcare services. It creates an environment where healthcare providers and patients can interact synchronously, allowing patients to receive specialized care individually or in groups, with follow-up consultations as necessary.
Dr. Abdirahman Omar, a telemedicine specialist at Hargeisa Group Hospital, shares his experience: “With our new telemedicine platform, we’ve been able to connect rural midwives with obstetricians during complicated deliveries. Last month alone, this system helped save twelve mothers and their babies who would have otherwise faced life-threatening delays in receiving specialized care.”
📱 Electronic Health Records: Streamlining Maternal Care
The implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) is transforming how maternal health information is managed in Somaliland. Previously, paper-based records led to fragmented care, with critical maternal health information often lost or inaccessible when women moved between different healthcare providers.
Digital health records now enable:
- Continuous monitoring of pregnancy progress
- Seamless sharing of patient information between healthcare providers
- Data-driven decision making
- Improved follow-up and continuity of care
- Better resource allocation based on real needs
The World Bank, through its International Development Assistance (IDA) grant, in collaboration with the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, has approved an investment package worth USD 100 million into Somalia’s healthcare system, with a significant portion dedicated to digital health infrastructure. These investments are helping to scale up EHR implementations across Somaliland’s maternal healthcare facilities.
3️⃣ Success Stories: Digital Health in Action
🟢 Mobile Clinics Powered by Technology
One of the most impactful innovations in Somaliland has been the development of technology-enabled mobile clinics that bring maternal care directly to remote communities. These mobile units are equipped with:
- Portable ultrasound devices connected to specialist centers
- Tablet-based health record systems
- Point-of-care diagnostic tools
- Satellite communication capabilities for remote consultations
- Solar power systems for reliable operation
The Response Innovation Lab (RIL) has made considerable efforts in this area, delivering healthcare, health education, and health information services via remote technologies to 70 different rural communities in Somaliland. Their services prioritize women of reproductive age due to their increased vulnerabilities as mothers and often as breadwinners in their households.
These mobile clinics have proven particularly effective in reaching nomadic and pastoral communities that traditionally have had limited access to formal healthcare systems. By bringing care directly to these communities and integrating digital tools that respect cultural sensitivities, the mobile clinics have succeeded in increasing antenatal care visits and facility-based deliveries among previously unreached populations.
🌍 Community Health Workers Empowered by Digital Tools
Community health workers (CHWs) represent another success story in the digital transformation of maternal healthcare in Somaliland. Equipped with smartphones and specialized applications, these frontline workers are extending the reach of the formal healthcare system deep into communities where traditional facility-based care has struggled to penetrate.
Digital tools enable CHWs to:
- Register pregnant women in their communities
- Conduct basic health assessments and screenings
- Flag high-risk pregnancies for specialist attention
- Provide health education tailored to local needs
- Schedule and remind women about antenatal visits
- Facilitate emergency transport when complications arise
From 2008 to 2011, the Himilo Relief and Development Association (HIRDA), founded by members of the Somali diaspora in the Netherlands, trained 279 social health workers who now run mother and child health centers, immunization campaigns, and health posts in rural areas. Many of these health workers now use digital tools to enhance their effectiveness and reach.
💻 Remote Training and Capacity Building
Digital technology is also addressing Somaliland’s critical shortage of skilled birth attendants through innovative remote training programs. These initiatives use video conferencing, mobile learning applications, and digital simulation tools to enhance the skills of midwives and other maternal health providers without requiring them to leave their communities for extended periods.
The “treat and teach” telemedicine package piloted in Somalia has demonstrated the feasibility of using telemedicine not only for direct patient care but also for building the capacity of local healthcare providers through ongoing education and mentorship.
“The remote training program changed everything for me,” says Hodan, a midwife in a small town near the Ethiopian border. “Before, I had to choose between staying to serve my community or leaving for months to get advanced training. Now, I connect with experts every week through my tablet, learning new skills while continuing to care for the women who need me.”
4️⃣ Challenges and Obstacles on the Digital Path
🛑 Infrastructure and Connectivity Issues
Despite promising advancements, significant challenges remain in implementing digital health solutions across Somaliland. Reliable electricity and internet connectivity—the foundations of digital health—remain inconsistent in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas where maternal health needs are often most acute.
Solar power solutions and offline capabilities are helping to address these challenges, but infrastructure limitations continue to hamper the full potential of digital health initiatives. Investment in basic infrastructure must accompany digital health innovations to ensure sustainable impact.
🧼 Digital Literacy and Training Gaps
Another critical challenge is the limited digital literacy among some healthcare providers and patients. Many older midwives and traditional birth attendants, who are deeply trusted in their communities, may struggle to adapt to new technologies without appropriate training and support.
Successful digital health programs have recognized this challenge and implemented comprehensive training approaches that are sensitive to varying levels of technological familiarity. Peer-to-peer learning models, where digitally confident healthcare workers mentor others, have proven particularly effective.
🔑 Data Security and Privacy Concerns
As digital health initiatives collect increasing amounts of sensitive maternal health data, concerns about data security and privacy have emerged. In a region with limited regulatory frameworks for digital health, ensuring that women’s health information remains protected is both an ethical and practical concern.
Stronger governance frameworks and capacity building in data protection are needed to address these challenges and build trust in digital health systems among both healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
5️⃣ The Path Forward: Scaling Digital Success
📈 Sustainable Financing Models
For digital maternal health initiatives to achieve lasting impact, sustainable financing models must be developed. While international donors have provided critical initial funding, long-term success requires integrating these innovations into Somaliland’s health system financing.
Public-private partnerships, diaspora investments, and innovative financing mechanisms offer promising avenues for sustainability. The growth of Somalia’s cashless economy, with widespread adoption of mobile money services even in rural areas, provides a foundation for developing new financing approaches for digital health services.
👉 Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
Supportive policy environments are essential for the continued growth of digital maternal health initiatives. Somaliland needs comprehensive digital health policies that address issues such as:
- Standards for digital health tools and interoperability
- Data ownership, privacy, and security regulations
- Licensing frameworks for telemedicine providers
- Integration of digital health into existing health systems
- Recognition and accreditation of digital training programs
Recent efforts by the Somali government to adopt and implement telemedicine are encouraging signs of growing policy support for digital health innovation.
💬 Community Engagement and Cultural Sensitivity
Perhaps most importantly, the future success of digital maternal health initiatives depends on meaningful community engagement and cultural sensitivity. Technology must serve as a bridge to better care, not a barrier that alienates communities from their healthcare systems.
Successful approaches have integrated traditional birth attendants into digital health networks, respected cultural preferences around childbirth, and ensured that technology enhances rather than replaces the human connection at the heart of maternal care.
6️⃣ Youth as Digital Health Champions: The Next Generation of Innovation
🎯 Engaging Young Somalis in Digital Health
The youth of Somaliland, representing over 70% of the population, are uniquely positioned to drive the digital health revolution forward. Born into a world where mobile technology is ubiquitous, young Somalis possess the digital fluency and innovative mindset needed to develop locally relevant solutions to maternal health challenges.
Several initiatives are now actively engaging youth in digital health:
- Digital Health Hackathons: Regular events in Hargeisa and other major cities bring together young developers, healthcare workers, and community members to design innovative solutions for maternal health challenges.
- Youth Health Tech Clubs: In secondary schools and universities across Somaliland, tech clubs focused on health innovation are nurturing the next generation of digital health pioneers.
- Mobile App Development Competitions: Organizations like Shaqodoon and Telesom sponsor competitions specifically focused on maternal health applications, with winning innovations receiving support for implementation.
Abdikarim Yusuf, a 22-year-old computer science student at the University of Hargeisa, recently developed a mobile application that helps pregnant women track their prenatal care schedules and connects them with emergency transport when needed. “I created this app after my sister almost lost her baby due to complications during delivery,” he explains. “Technology can’t solve everything, but it can make a huge difference in connecting women to the care they need when minutes matter.”
💡 Educational Pathways in Digital Health
For Somali youth interested in careers at the intersection of technology and healthcare, new educational pathways are emerging:
- Health Informatics Programs: Universities in Hargeisa and Borama have introduced specialized courses in health informatics and digital health management.
- Technical Training in Health Technologies: Vocational training centers now offer certifications in maintaining and operating digital health equipment, from telemedicine systems to portable diagnostic devices.
- Community Health Worker Tech Training: Young people can now train as digitally-equipped community health workers, combining traditional community health approaches with modern technological tools.
- International Exchange Programs: Organizations like the Somaliland Diaspora Agency facilitate exchanges that allow young Somalis to study digital health innovations in other countries before returning to implement similar approaches at home.
“I never thought I could combine my passion for technology with my desire to improve maternal health in my community,” says Asha Abdi, a recent graduate of a health informatics program. “Now I’m working with a team developing a digital platform that connects traditional birth attendants with clinical specialists. We’re building bridges between traditional practices and modern medicine using technology.”
🔹 Profiles of Young Innovators
Young Somalis are already making significant contributions to maternal health through technology:
Fardosa Hassan, 26, Mobile Health App Developer
After losing her cousin to complications during childbirth, Fardosa left her job in telecommunications to develop a maternal health app specifically designed for nomadic communities. Her application works offline and synchronizes when connectivity becomes available, allowing pastoral women to maintain digital health records even as they move across the region. The app has been adopted by over 30 mobile health units and has registered more than 15,000 pregnant women since its launch in 2023.
Ibrahim Mohamed, 24, Telemedicine Technician
Ibrahim leads a team that has installed telemedicine systems in 17 remote health posts across the Sanaag region. His innovations in low-power consumption and satellite connectivity have made reliable telemedicine possible even in areas without stable electricity. “The first time I connected a midwife in a remote village with an obstetrician in Hargeisa during a complicated birth, I knew this was my life’s work,” Ibrahim says. “That mother and baby are both healthy today because technology bridged the physical distance between them and the care they needed.”
Sahra Ali, 25, Digital Health Community Organizer
Recognizing that technology alone cannot overcome cultural barriers to maternal healthcare, Sahra has developed a network of young digital health ambassadors who work within their communities to increase acceptance of and trust in digital health tools. Her initiative combines traditional storytelling methods with digital demonstrations to help communities understand how technology can complement rather than replace valued traditional practices around pregnancy and childbirth.
7️⃣ Case Studies: Digital Success Stories in Somaliland
🟢 Case Study 1: The Togdheer Region Telemedicine Network
The Togdheer region, historically one of the areas with the highest maternal mortality rates in Somaliland, has witnessed a remarkable transformation through a coordinated telemedicine initiative. The program equipped 12 rural health posts with solar-powered telemedicine kits connected to specialist consultations at Burao Regional Hospital.
Impact:
- 47% increase in facility-based deliveries in covered communities
- 78% reduction in referral times for obstetric emergencies
- 65% increase in antenatal care attendance
- 32% decrease in maternal mortality within the first year of implementation
The success of this initiative hinged on three key factors: reliable technology adapted to local conditions, comprehensive training for local health workers, and community engagement that built trust in the new system. Regular community meetings where successful cases were shared helped overcome initial skepticism about technology-enabled care.
📌 Case Study 2: SMS-Based Maternal Health Education
A partnership between Telesom, Somaliland’s largest mobile network operator, and the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide SMS-based maternal health education program that delivers tailored health messages to pregnant women based on their stage of pregnancy. The program uses simple feature phones rather than requiring smartphones, making it accessible even to women in low-resource settings.
Impact:
- Over 50,000 women registered in the first 18 months
- 38% increase in iron supplementation compliance among participants
- 42% increase in women recognizing danger signs during pregnancy
- 25% increase in birth preparedness measures taken by enrolled women
The program’s success demonstrates how even basic mobile technology can significantly improve maternal health outcomes when deployed thoughtfully. The use of local languages and culturally appropriate messaging proved critical to the program’s acceptance and effectiveness.
🔸 Case Study 3: The Digital Midwife Initiative
In the coastal regions of Somaliland, the Digital Midwife Initiative equipped 45 midwives with tablet computers loaded with decision-support software, telemedicine capabilities, and electronic health record systems. These digital tools transform traditional midwives into bridges between community-based care and the formal healthcare system.
Impact:
- 83% of high-risk pregnancies identified and referred for specialized care
- 41% reduction in postpartum hemorrhage cases
- 67% increase in skilled birth attendance rates
- Creation of the first comprehensive maternal health database in the region
Perhaps most significantly, the initiative has elevated the status of midwives within the healthcare system and their communities. “Before, I was just seen as a traditional birth attendant,” explains Halima, a midwife in a small coastal village. “Now, with my tablet and my connection to doctors in the city, my community sees me as a medical professional. This respect translates to more women seeking care.”
8️⃣ Future Innovations on the Horizon
💡 Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics
The next frontier in Somaliland’s digital maternal health revolution involves artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics. Early warning systems that can identify high-risk pregnancies before complications arise are being developed and tested in pilot programs.
These systems analyze data from prenatal visits, along with demographic and historical information, to flag pregnancies that may require additional monitoring or intervention. By shifting from reactive to proactive care, these innovations promise to prevent complications rather than merely responding to them.
One particularly promising application combines simple blood pressure and proteinuria measurements with AI analysis to predict pre-eclampsia—a leading cause of maternal mortality—weeks before clinical symptoms appear.
🚀 Drone Delivery of Essential Supplies
In a region where road infrastructure remains challenging, especially during rainy seasons, drone technology offers a revolutionary approach to delivering essential medical supplies to remote maternal health facilities.
Pilot programs in neighboring countries have demonstrated the feasibility of using autonomous drones to deliver blood products, essential medications, and emergency supplies to isolated health facilities within minutes rather than hours. Similar initiatives are now being planned for implementation in Somaliland’s most remote regions.
“When a woman is hemorrhaging after childbirth, every minute without blood products increases her risk of death,” explains Dr. Nimo Hassan, an obstetrician advocating for drone delivery systems. “Drone technology could literally be the difference between life and death in those critical moments.”
📱 Blockchain for Health Record Security and Continuity
To address concerns about data security and fragmentation of health records, blockchain technology is being explored as a potential solution for maternal health information management in Somaliland.
Blockchain could provide a secure, immutable record of a woman’s entire reproductive health history, accessible across different healthcare providers while maintaining privacy and security. For women in nomadic communities who may access care from different providers as they move, such continuous records could dramatically improve the quality and safety of care.
Early pilot projects have demonstrated the technical feasibility of blockchain health records even in low-resource settings, though challenges around digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks remain to be addressed.
9️⃣ Building a Digital Health Ecosystem: Beyond Individual Solutions
🔑 Integration and Interoperability
As digital maternal health initiatives proliferate across Somaliland, a key challenge—and opportunity—lies in building an integrated digital health ecosystem rather than a collection of isolated solutions. Interoperability standards that allow different digital systems to communicate and share information are essential for maximizing impact.
Progress is being made through initiatives like the Somaliland Health Information Exchange, which aims to create common standards and protocols for health data sharing across public and private healthcare providers. Such integration would allow, for example, a woman’s telemedicine consultation data to be automatically incorporated into her electronic health record and made available to community health workers during follow-up visits.
“We need to move beyond thinking about individual digital tools to building a coherent digital health architecture,” emphasizes Dr. Hassan Ahmed, Digital Health Coordinator at Somaliland’s Ministry of Health. “When our systems talk to each other, we multiply their impact.”
📢 Digital Health Literacy for All
As digital solutions become increasingly central to maternal healthcare in Somaliland, ensuring digital health literacy among all stakeholders—from healthcare providers to expectant mothers—grows ever more important. Comprehensive digital health literacy initiatives are now being incorporated into community health programs, school curricula, and public health campaigns.
These efforts focus not only on technical skills but also on critical evaluation of health information, privacy awareness, and understanding the appropriate use of different digital health tools. By embedding digital health literacy throughout society, Somaliland is building the foundation for sustainable, community-owned digital health innovation.
🌍 Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Somaliland’s digital maternal health initiatives increasingly benefit from and contribute to regional knowledge exchange networks. Collaborations with digital health innovators in Kenya, Rwanda, and other African nations are accelerating innovation and helping to avoid duplicated efforts.
Platforms like the East African Digital Health Network facilitate regular knowledge sharing among practitioners, while cross-border training programs allow for the rapid dissemination of successful approaches. This regional ecosystem of learning and collaboration multiplies the impact of individual country efforts and helps build solutions specifically tailored to African healthcare contexts.
🔸 10. International Partnerships: Global Support for Local Innovation
🌍 Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
The digital transformation of maternal healthcare in Somaliland has been accelerated by strategic international partnerships that bring together diverse expertise and resources. These collaborations typically involve:
- Bilateral development agencies such as USAID, DFID, and SIDA that provide funding and technical assistance
- UN agencies including WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF that contribute global health expertise and implementation support
- International NGOs like Save the Children, Medecins Sans Frontières, and World Vision that implement innovative programs
- Technology companies including Microsoft, Google, and local telecom operators that provide technological infrastructure and expertise
- Academic institutions from both Somaliland and international partners that contribute research and evaluation capacity
The success of these partnerships lies in their ability to combine global expertise with local knowledge, creating solutions that are both technically sound and contextually appropriate. Dr. Deqa Aden, who coordinates several international maternal health partnerships, explains: “The most successful digital health innovations in Somaliland have been those where international partners listen first and then contribute their expertise to address locally identified challenges.”
💻 Technology Transfer and Capacity Building
Beyond implementing individual projects, international partnerships are increasingly focused on sustainable technology transfer and local capacity building. This approach ensures that digital health innovations continue to evolve and adapt even after initial project funding ends.
Key mechanisms for technology transfer include:
- Joint innovation labs where local and international technologists collaborate on developing and adapting digital health solutions
- Train-the-trainer programs that build a cadre of local digital health experts who can then disseminate knowledge throughout the health system
- Open-source technology platforms that allow local developers to customize and extend digital health tools to meet evolving needs
- Technical exchange programs that send promising Somali innovators to learn from digital health implementations in other countries
The UNDP’s Digital Health Capacity Building Initiative exemplifies this approach, having trained over one hundred Somali health professionals and technology specialists in digital health implementation and management since its launch in 2022. These individuals now form a critical mass of local expertise driving sustainable digital health innovation.
🔹 Diaspora Engagement for Global-Local Connections
Somaliland’s large global diaspora plays a unique and powerful role in bridging international expertise and local implementation. Diaspora professionals with experience in healthcare and technology sectors in Europe, North America, and the Gulf States are increasingly returning to contribute to Somaliland’s digital health revolution.
These diaspora connections facilitate:
- Knowledge transfer from advanced health systems to Somaliland’s evolving digital health ecosystem
- Investment in local digital health startups and social enterprises
- Mentorship for young Somali technologists and health professionals
- Global advocacy that raises awareness and support for Somaliland’s maternal health initiatives
Halima Abokor, who returned to Somaliland after fifteen years working as a nurse-informaticist in Canada, now leads a health tech startup in Hargeisa. “The diaspora brings not just skills and connections but also a deep understanding of both worlds,” she explains. “We can help adapt global best practices to work within local realities because we understand both contexts intimately.”
📈 11. The Economic Case: Digital Health as an Investment
💡 Cost-Effectiveness of Digital Interventions
Beyond their health impact, digital maternal health interventions are increasingly recognized for their economic value. Initial investments in digital health infrastructure, while substantial, are yielding significant returns through:
Reduced healthcare costs as complications are prevented or addressed earlier through digital monitoring and early intervention- Decreased emergency transport costs as telemedicine enables remote diagnosis and treatment guidance
- Improved efficiency in healthcare delivery through better coordination and resource allocation
- Reduced opportunity costs for women who no longer need to travel long distances for routine care
- Long-term economic gains from improved maternal and child health outcomes
A cost-benefit analysis conducted by the Somaliland Health Economics Research Unit found that for every $1 invested in digital maternal health solutions, approximately $4.30 is returned in healthcare cost savings and economic productivity gains over a five-year period. This compelling economic case is helping to attract both public and private sector investment in scaling digital health initiatives.
🚀 Digital Health Entrepreneurship
The maternal health technology revolution is also creating new entrepreneurial opportunities within Somaliland’s emerging digital economy. Local startups focused on maternal health technologies are beginning to flourish, creating employment and driving innovation.
These enterprises range from software development companies creating specialized applications for maternal health to technology service providers supporting the deployment and maintenance of digital health infrastructure in rural areas. Women entrepreneurs, in particular, are finding opportunities at the intersection of technology and maternal health, leveraging their unique perspectives to develop solutions that address unmet needs.
Telesom’s investment in maternal health applications represents another facet of this economic ecosystem, demonstrating how corporate social responsibility initiatives can align with business growth in the digital health space. By integrating maternal health services into their mobile offerings, telecommunications companies are simultaneously addressing critical health needs and cultivating long-term customer relationships.
📌 Human Capital Development
Perhaps the most significant economic impact of the digital maternal health revolution lies in its contribution to human capital development. By improving maternal and child health outcomes, these initiatives are strengthening Somaliland’s future workforce and reducing the economic burden of preventable health complications.
Moreover, the skills developed through digital health implementations—from technical expertise in health informatics to experience in managing complex multi-stakeholder projects—are building capacity that extends far beyond the health sector. Young professionals who gain experience in digital health projects often apply these skills across other sectors of the economy, contributing to Somaliland’s broader digital transformation.
🔑 12. Practical Guidance: Getting Involved in Digital Maternal Health
👉 For Young Technology Enthusiasts
For young Somalis with technology skills or interests who wish to contribute to improving maternal health outcomes, multiple pathways exist:
Join existing initiatives: Organizations like the Digital Health Innovation Hub in Hargeisa regularly recruit interns and volunteers with technology skills to support their projects.
Develop targeted applications: Identify specific maternal health challenges in your community that could benefit from digital solutions and develop mobile applications or other tools to address them.
Participate in hackathons and innovation challenges: Events like the annual Somaliland Health Tech Challenge provide opportunities to showcase your ideas and connect with potential mentors and funders.
Contribute to open-source projects: Many digital health tools used in Somaliland are built on open-source platforms that welcome contributions from developers.
Build digital literacy: Help train healthcare workers and community members in your area to effectively use digital health tools, bridging the gap between technology and implementation.
“Start by understanding the actual problems that mothers and healthcare workers face,” advises Ahmed Ismail, a software developer who created a successful maternal health application. “The most impactful technology is designed not in isolation but in close collaboration with the people who will use it every day.”
💬 For Health Professionals
Healthcare providers interested in incorporating digital tools into their maternal health practice can:
Advocate for digital tools: Request and champion the adoption of appropriate digital health solutions within your facility or organization.
Seek training opportunities: Take advantage of digital health training programs offered by the Ministry of Health and partner organizations.
Participate in user testing: Offer to test and provide feedback on new digital health tools being developed for maternal care.
Document and share impacts: Collect data and stories about how digital tools are affecting maternal health outcomes in your practice and share these with colleagues and decision-makers.
Form communities of practice: Connect with other healthcare providers using similar digital tools to share experiences, challenges, and solutions.
Dr. Amina Jama, an early adopter of telemedicine at her rural health post, emphasizes: “Don’t wait for perfect technology or complete training. Start small, learn by doing, and be persistent in advocating for the digital tools that will help you provide better care for mothers and babies.”
🎯 For Community Leaders and Advocates
Community leaders play a crucial role in the successful implementation of digital maternal health initiatives by:
Facilitating community dialogues: Create spaces for community members to learn about, discuss, and provide input on digital health initiatives affecting maternal care.
Addressing misconceptions: Help address concerns and misconceptions about digital health technologies by sharing accurate information.
Identifying local champions: Recognize and support individuals within the community who can demonstrate and advocate for the benefits of digital health tools.
Connecting vulnerable women: Help ensure that the most vulnerable women in your community—including those with limited literacy or technology access—can benefit from digital health initiatives.
Providing feedback to implementers: Serve as a bridge between community members and the organizations implementing digital health programs, ensuring community voices are heard.
“Technology alone cannot transform maternal health,” notes Halimo Sheikh, a respected traditional birth attendant who now works alongside the digital health system. “It requires the trust and participation of the community. As leaders, our role is to help build that trust through understanding and engagement.”
📢 13. Call to Action: Building the Future Together
✅ For Policy Makers
To accelerate and sustain the digital transformation of maternal healthcare in Somaliland, policy makers should consider:
Developing a comprehensive digital health strategy that specifically addresses maternal health needs and establishes clear standards and regulatory frameworks.
Allocating sustainable funding for digital health infrastructure and implementation, recognizing these investments as essential components of a functioning health system rather than optional add-ons.
Creating supportive regulatory environments that encourage innovation while ensuring patient safety and data protection.
Integrating digital literacy into healthcare professional education at all levels.
Establishing public-private partnerships that leverage the resources and expertise of telecommunications companies, technology providers, and health system stakeholders.