Maternity Foundation and Neuvo Inc. Global continue pilot testing of new AI tool to ensure safer childbirths in low-resource settings
Maternity Foundation and Neuvo Inc. Global continue the pilot testing of integrating an AI-powered smartbot, called the NeMa smartbot, into the widely used Safe Delivery App.
The Safe Delivery App serves as both a practical job aid and a training tool for midwives and healthcare professionals. It has 197500+ download in India alone, where the pilot testing of smartbot is taking place.
With the integration of the NeMa smartbot, developed by Neuvo Inc. Global, users can now ask questions on the Safe Delivery App content and receive timely, evidence-based answers on pregnancy and childbirth.
The NeMa smartbot aims to enhance support for healthcare professionals by making it easier to quickly access critical information, enabling them to deliver more efficient and improved care to women and babies during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Positive feedback from pilot participants
The latest pilot test took place at two State Midwifery Institutes in India, involving 49 midwives. This phase builds on previous pilots and includes testing the full Indian version of the Safe Delivery App, covering all the modules of the app.
Midwives are already experiencing the benefits of having real-time support at their fingertips. Maternity Foundation conducted some interviews to collect feedback from midwives testing the smart-bort: “With the incorporation of the AI-powered NeMa smartbot, using the Safe Delivery App is getting much easier. It feels like a two-way communication; if you have some problems, it’s like you have someone there to assist you,“says one interviewee.
Another midwife shared the immense value NeMa brings during emergencies: “During an emergency, the NeMa smartbot will be with us; we can ask the questions we need answers to.”
This AI-powered tool ensures that midwives are never alone when faced with critical situations, providing instant guidance for improved decision-making during childbirth.
A standout feature of the smartbot is its ability to function offline, making it a valuable tool for midwives working in areas with unreliable connectivity. As one interviewee emphasized: “For those working in remote areas with limited or no internet connectivity, the Safe Delivery App and the NeMa smartbot can still function offline, addressing the challenges posed by internet issues.”
Beyond its technical capabilities, participants noted how NeMa enhances their professional knowledge. One midwife explained: “The AI-powered NeMa smartbot will be an additional value to the Safe Delivery App. It will expand our knowledge. Whenever we’re in doubt, we can ask questions, and it will answer”.
The pilot testing is done in collaboration with Astrika Foundation. This project is facilitated by UNFPA and financed by Organon. Based on feedback and lessons learned, Maternity Foundation and Neuvo Global Inc. will evaluate how to best leverage AI to ensure safer births in India and beyond.
