Key achievements in 2023
We are pleased to share our Annual Report of 2023 with all of our partners and friends.
Throughout 2023 we intensified our efforts to ensure safer births for more women and their newborns around the world. Our motivation was driven by the newest maternal mortality figures, showing that progress on reducing maternal deaths has stalled in recent years.
In response to these concerning figures, Maternity Foundation expanded the clinical scope of the Safe Delivery App and further scaled up the Safe Delivery+ Programme to cover more countries and regions. A major focus has also been to future-proof our digital solutions amid the rapid advancements in AI technology.
A key highlight for Maternity Foundation in 2023 was the release of four new modules within the SDA: Perinatal Mental Health; Antenatal Care; Modern Contraception; and Safe Abortion. Developed in close collaboration with UNFPA and other partners, these new modules extend the App’s initial focus on managing basic emergency obstetric and newborn care to include preventive services, fostering a more holistic approach to maternal healthcare.
Another key milestone was the continued expansion of the SDA with the release of the global Spanish version, created in collaboration with UNFPA LACRO and the University of Chile. The new Spanish version was pilot-tested and successfully launched in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023.
A final important milestone was the pilot test of the AI-powered NeMa Smartbot, together with Neuvo Inc. and UNFPA, to further develop and improve the content and usability of the SDA.
Remaining committed to our mission of ensuring safer births for women and newborns everywhere, Maternity Foundation also prioritised strengthening our position globally, including nurturing partnerships, taking part in key global events, and exploring new opportunities. To that end, we launched Maternity Foundation Inc. in the United States to explore new partnerships and fund possibilities there.
Additional priorities included monitoring, evaluating, and documenting our projects to ensure that our work continues to be grounded in evidence.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our partners, collaborators and friends. We look forward to continuing our work and collaborations, reaching and supporting more healthcare professionals and improving the quality of care for the communities they serve to accelerate progress on advancing maternal and newborn health.