Advancing maternal and child health equity through AI-driven digital innovation: The familia platform experience in Nigeria

Title : Advancing maternal and child health equity through AI-driven digital innovation: The familia platform experience in Nigeria

Abstract:

Background: Persistent gaps in maternal and child health (MNCH) service delivery across Nigeria threaten progress toward universal health coverage. Emerging digital tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) present transformative opportunities to enhance equity, efficiency, and accountability in healthcare access and outcomes.

Objective: This study presents findings from the beta deployment of Familia solutions, an AI-driven digital health platform designed to improve maternal, newborn, and child health through hybrid human-AI engagement and real-time community-facility linkage.

Methods: Guided by an integrative review of peer-reviewed literature (2018-2024), Familia was co-designed with stakeholders and tested across selected health facilities in Nigeria. The platform integrates digital health records, geospatial tracking, multilingual AI assistance (AMARA), and a reward-based engagement system. Ethical approval was secured for expanded evaluation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Results: The beta deployment demonstrated measurable improvement in MNCH service indicators within participating facilities: antenatal care (ANC) coverage increased to 78% (+4.5%), vaccination coverage to 82% (+4.01%), and facility-based deliveries rose to 63% (+12.3%). Additionally, Familia improved women’s digital confidence, reduced misinformation through verified health content, and enhanced data visibility for health managers.

Conclusion: Familia illustrates how AI-driven digital ecosystems can strengthen MNCH outcomes by linking communities and health facilities through intelligent, localized technology. Its early success underscores the potential of scalable, context-sensitive innovation to advance equity and accelerate progress toward SDG 3 in low- and middle-income settings.

Key words: Artificial Intelligence, Maternal and Child Health, Digital Equity, Health Innovation, Nigeria.

Biography:

Charles Chibuisi Ehiemere is a public health professional and digital innovation strategist with expertise in health systems strengthening, Digital health and AI integration, and Maternal and child health. He serves as Principal Consultant at Merevo Consulting Limited and Chief Innovator Familiasolutions. He is currently pursing his PhD in Public Health at the Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University Keffi. His work focuses on Advancing digital health: Innovative solutions for equitable, efficient and affordable Maternal Newborn and Chid health in Nigeria, while leveraging emerging technologies to enhance community health systems and improve equity in healthcare delivery across Africa.