A researcher at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Ademola Adeleke, has secured a grant of $5 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a solution aimed at reducing maternal deaths in Nigeria. According to a statement from the university, Professor Adeleke’s project, titled ‘Maternal Mortality Reduction through Technology and Innovation’ (MMRTI), aims to improve maternal health care in rural and underserved areas of the country. The project will focus on the development of a mobile health application that will provide pregnant women with timely and accurate information about their health and the health of their unborn babies. The app will also offer real-time monitoring of the women’s health status and alert healthcare providers in case of any complications. This is not the first time Professor Adeleke has received international recognition for his work. In 2020, he was awarded the prestigious World Health Organization (WHO) Award for his contributions to maternal and child health in Nigeria. The grant is expected to be disbursed over a period of five years, and Professor Adeleke’s team is expected to collaborate with healthcare providers and community leaders in various rural communities to ensure the successful implementation of the project. This development comes at a time when Nigeria continues to struggle with high maternal mortality rates, with an estimated 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the Nigerian Health Watch. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target of reducing this rate to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. Professor Adeleke’s project is expected to contribute significantly to the achievement of this target.
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