How we support

The Competency Center offers automated tracking of App usage, and can answer any questions on downloading, features and functionality, and basic implementation set-up.

At this level of engagement, we support NGOs, organizations and/or government partners in implementation of the Safe Delivery App on-the-ground, as well as perform concurrent implementation research. Depending on funding and capacity, support from the Competency Center may include: feasibility studies, introduction training, data collection, monitoring and field studies/research.

The overall goal of this level of engagement is integration of The Safe Delivery App into the national health system supported largely by the public sector. Together with key partners in the countries, the Competency Center lays the groundwork to ensure that the App is adapted for and integrated into the structure and systems of the Ministry of Health or equivalent institution, and is absorbed into practice as a routine standard of care according to national guidelines.

This level involves deep engagement and on-site presence from the Competency Center in the many aspects of rolling out the Safe Delivery Program in order to ensure sustainability, learn from the process and build a strong case for the country roll-out. The Competency Center engages with Ministry of Health (or equivalent) and key stakeholders to adapt the App to national context and training curricula.

At level A, the mHealth Competency Center will simply access GPS data automatically generated on the App, while at levels B and C we ask partners to share results from knowledge and skills’ assessments, surveys and any other qualitative and quantitative data gathered on the App. This information feeds into the Competency Center’s knowledge base of best practices which in turn benefits other implementing partners.

The Safe Delivery App has undergone a WHO review process to ensure the content of the App is up-to-date with WHO guidelines on Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care. The WHO content alignment is crucial to the integrity of our content and to setting a standard of care for the delivering women and skilled birth attendants using the App. We prioritize keeping the App’s content as closely adhered to the newest WHO guidelines as possible.

We do not adapt or add content for the majority of partners including those who operate at a smaller scale due to limited capacity and in particular to keep all content limited to WHO and national guidelines. We ask implementing organizations to use the various existing version of The Safe Delivery App in their project or program.

However, for implementation at national scale, we will discuss adaptation and translation of the App on a case-by-case basis with partners such as ministries and departments of health. Any new adaptations of The Safe Delivery App will require co-funding and project resources from the implementing partner.

As described below, we support implementing partners with guidance, trainings as well as tools for implementation and evaluation. We do not provide funding or technical hardware unless it specifically has been fundraised for in advance.

When planning for a project or program with The Safe Delivery App, keep in mind that the actual implementation of the App is low cost, as the App is free for download, and as long as the relevant technical infrastructure is in place – either the skilled birth attendants have their own device or the clinic/program provides a device – costs for use and implementation are very low. Naturally, some initial investment is required at the beginning of implementation in terms of hardware (phones if necessary), orientation trainings, baseline assessments, deployments of trainers and staff. However, these costs are upfront and decrease over time once the App is deployed.

In order to ensure that all roles, responsibilities, timelines and, if applicable, budgets, are clearly defined and adhered to, the mHealth Competency Center requests a jointly drafted formal agreement document when entering a formalized implementing partnership. Examples include, but are not limited to, a Letter of Interest or Memorandum of Understanding, respectively including a document outlining one or more agreements between two or more parties before the agreements are finalized, and a bilateral or multilateral agreement between two or more parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action.

Please note that it is not a requirement to enter formalized partnership in order to use the App or to receive remote support from the mHealth Competency Center at Maternity Foundation.