November 11 2025 – Saving Lives of Unborns and Newborns with a Smartphone – This Is What We Are Doing

This report was written by Patricia Achiaa Baffour, Midwifery Officer at SDA Hospital, Sunyani (Bono Region, Ghana), and founder of WhatsApp4PregnantWomenAndYoungMothers. Our goal is to present the mission, methods, and impact of this project – a maternal and child health promotion initiative.
Do you want to meet Patricia? Find our video “Meet the Team” on our LinkedIn channel: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hita-ev_hita-digitalhealth-maternalcare-activity-7394005587094675457-2Jkp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAACM2R7wBAwtHfDpRaxfvOX1qSpuyoFF8N4c

About the Initiative

WhatsApp4PregnantWomenAndYoungMothers is a digital support network that empowers adolescent mothers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers across Ghana’s Bono Region. Through structured WhatsApp groups, participants receive timely health education, emotional support, and practical guidance tailored to their needs.

And this is how it works:

  • Pregnant women who attend antenatal clinics are added to the WhatsApp platform at the point of registration.
  • Weekly health tips are shared, covering topics such as antenatal care, breastfeeding, nutrition, mental health, hygiene, communicable and non-communicable diseases, labor preparation, danger signs in labor, fetal kick counts, and newborn care.
  • Members can ask questions anonymously and receive responses from a multidisciplinary team of health professionals.
  • Faith-based encouragement and wellness messages uplift participants spiritually and emotionally.

The platform is coordinated by a diverse team of six health professionals: one nutritionist, one health educator, two midwives, one child welfare officer, and one technical support officer. This collaborative approach ensures holistic, accurate, and culturally sensitive support. Each team member contributes their expertise: the health educator provides general health information; the midwives focus on maternal and neonatal care; the nutritionist addresses dietary issues; and the child welfare officer ensures continuity of care after delivery. The technical officer maintains all digital equipment – phones, laptops, and other devices – ensuring smooth communication and service delivery.

Patricia Achiaa Baffour - Founder of WhatsApp4PregnantWomenAndYoungMothers

One story that shows the impact of this initiative is Bridget’s. In September 2025, Bridget, a 16-year-old nursing mother from Sunyani, joined the WhatsApp group for pregnant women and young mothers. Initially, she did not have a smartphone and could not participate. After her case was presented to HITA members, a smartphone was donated to her. During her antenatal period, Bridget had limited access to essential health information. Recognizing her situation, Patricia and Esther from HITA visited her at home to understand her challenges and aspirations. Bridget shared her financial struggles and her strong desire to return to school while caring for her baby. Through the WhatsApp group, she began receiving educational materials, emotional support, and practical guidance. These resources helped her gain confidence and knowledge to care for her child while pursuing her personal goals.

Bridget’s story is just one of many. Today, the platform serves over 655 active participants across the Bono Region, with an 85% engagement rate in weekly sessions. We also provide 1-on-1 follow-ups for high-risk cases, especially teenage mothers. Follow-up visits are usually arranged after working hours. During these visits, we educate mothers, assess their health and that of their babies, and refer them to doctors when needed. This initiative blends digital innovation with compassionate care — ensuring that no pregnant or nursing mother feels alone on her journey.

Bridget and her newborn
Martha and her newborn

For more than 20 years, HITA e.V. has been promoting health, education, and sustainable development in rural Africa — especially in Ghana.

Yet, child mortality remains alarmingly high:

  • 1 in 24 children does not live to see their 5th birthday.
  • 1 in 43 newborns dies before turning one year old.

Most of these deaths are preventable — if access to medical knowledge, counseling, and care were easier.

How You Can Help: Every contribution counts!

We collect:

  • Used smartphones (in good working condition, with a battery and charger)
  • Donations to fund data packages, medical consultations, and fair compensation for health professionals

Or become a sponsor:

€120 = One safe birth

Give an expecting mother in Ghana the medical support she needs during pregnancy and childbirth — together with our HITA partner team on the ground.
It also makes a meaningful gift for your loved ones.

Your Donation Saves Lives

HITA e.V.
IBAN: DE86 6907 0024 0050 6006 00
www.hita-ev.org
info@hita-ev.org

Thank you for your support.
Together, we create hope and build brighter futures.