MCHTrack: Transforming Maternal and Child Healthcare in Katsina Through Technology

In Nigeria, high maternal and child mortality rates remain an urgent public health challenge. According to World Bank estimates, the country’s maternal mortality rate stands at a staggering 800 per 100,000 live births. This translates to one woman losing her life due to pregnancy or childbirth every 10 minutes, amounting to a heartbreaking 53,000 deaths annually.

A pioneering initiative led by Datharm, a technology-driven organization, is making significant strides in addressing this crisis through an innovative digital solution known as MCHTrack. The Maternal and Child Health Track (MCHTrack) project began in 2019 with a successful pilot phase in select Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Katsina State.Through its Katsina State pilot, MCHTrack has demonstrated the potential for scalable interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

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Alignment with National Priorities on Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates with Initiatives such as the MAMII Project

MCHTrack aligns with national priorities to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by improving health facility utilization for children and pregnant women. The initiative emphasizes community engagement and health system strengthening as foundational strategies for improving maternal healthcare.

MCHTrack’s design is informed by a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that reinforces government and community-led efforts to address maternal mortality across Nigeria. Notably, it complements the objectives of initiatives such as MAMII (Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives) led by the esteemed Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate , which share a focus on improving access, quality, and equity in maternal health services.

By engaging communities, healthcare facilities, and governance structures, MCHTrack promotes a holistic approach that integrates seamlessly into the broader ecosystem of maternal health innovations being scaled nationwide. 

This strategic alignment ensures that MCHTrack makes a meaningful contribution to shared national goals—strengthening the continuum of care for women and children, enhancing the responsiveness of service delivery systems, and supporting sustainable health outcomes across targeted regions.

MCHTrack: Transforming Maternal and Child Healthcare in Katsina Through Technology

In Nigeria, high maternal and child mortality rates remain an urgent public health challenge. According to World Bank estimates, the country’s maternal mortality rate stands at a staggering 800 per 100,000 live births. This translates to one woman losing her life due to pregnancy or childbirth every 10 minutes, amounting to a heartbreaking 53,000 deaths annually.

A pioneering initiative led by Datharm, a technology-driven organization, is making significant strides in addressing this crisis through an innovative digital solution known as MCHTrack. The Maternal and Child Health Track (MCHTrack) project began in 2019 with a successful pilot phase in select Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Katsina State.Through its Katsina State pilot, MCHTrack has demonstrated the potential for scalable interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes.

Alignment with National Priorities on Reducing Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Rates with Initiatives such as the MAMII Project

MCHTrack aligns with national priorities to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by improving health facility utilization for children and pregnant women. The initiative emphasizes community engagement and health system strengthening as foundational strategies for improving maternal healthcare.

MCHTrack’s design is informed by a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach that reinforces government and community-led efforts to address maternal mortality across Nigeria. Notably, it complements the objectives of initiatives such as MAMII (Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives) led by the esteemed Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate , which share a focus on improving access, quality, and equity in maternal health services.

By engaging communities, healthcare facilities, and governance structures, MCHTrack promotes a holistic approach that integrates seamlessly into the broader ecosystem of maternal health innovations being scaled nationwide. 

This strategic alignment ensures that MCHTrack makes a meaningful contribution to shared national goals—strengthening the continuum of care for women and children, enhancing the responsiveness of service delivery systems, and supporting sustainable health outcomes across targeted regions.

Bridging the Gap Between Communities and Healthcare Facilities

Founder and CEO of Datharm, Amina Ahmad K.U Nagogo, is the key mind behind this transformative project. With experience developing digital tools internationally, she returned to Nigeria with a mission to leverage technology for social impact.

“MCHTrack helps link communities with health facilities by strengthening communication and coordination,” Amina explains. “Community health agents use the system to record households in need of maternal and child health interventions—whether it’s a pregnant woman requiring antenatal care or a child needing immunization. This data is then transmitted to health facilities, enabling them to plan better for service delivery.”

The system provides reminders to caregivers, ensuring that no child is left without vital vaccinations. “If a child has not been immunized, community agents will actively reach out to the household, emphasizing the consequences of missing routine immunization,” she adds.

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Transforming Healthcare in Katsina

Amir Abdulkadir, a senior health official in Katsina, highlights the program’s impact. “MCHTrack is a game-changer for maternal and child health in Katsina. It connects health workers with caregivers, allowing for better planning and coordination of services.”

Through its initial pilot in Katsina State, the MCHTrack project has seen impressive results. Covering 76 wards and 423 settlements, the initiative has registered over 15,320 women and children, ensuring they receive essential healthcare services.

“The goal is to identify pregnant women and link them to health facilities for antenatal care,” Amir explains. “For children under five, we ensure they receive routine immunizations and medical attention when needed.”

Transforming Healthcare in Katsina

Amir Abdulkadir, a senior health official in Katsina, highlights the program’s impact. “MCHTrack is a game-changer for maternal and child health in Katsina. It connects health workers with caregivers, allowing for better planning and coordination of services.”

Through its initial pilot in Katsina State, the MCHTrack project has seen impressive results. Covering 76 wards and 423 settlements, the initiative has registered over 15,320 women and children, ensuring they receive essential healthcare services.

“The goal is to identify pregnant women and link them to health facilities for antenatal care,” Amir explains. “For children under five, we ensure they receive routine immunizations and medical attention when needed.”

Overcoming Challenges, Scaling for the Future

Despite its successes, implementing MCHTrack has not been without challenges. Issues such as poor connectivity, lack of electricity in rural areas, and security concerns have posed hurdles. However, stakeholders remain committed to finding solutions.

“There are still remote areas with limited internet access,” says Amir. “We also face power shortages in some rural facilities, making it difficult for health workers to use digital tools consistently.”

Security concerns in border communities, where banditry remains a threat, have also affected program implementation. However, local authorities and community volunteers are working together to mitigate these risks and ensure the continued success of the project.

Government Support and Expansion Plans

The Katsina State government has embraced MCHTrack as part of its broader commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. The Executive Governor, Dikko Umar Radda Ph.D CON, has prioritized expanding primary healthcare services across the state, ensuring that each of Katsina’s 361 wards has a fully functional 24-hour primary health center.

In his remarks, the governor expressed his gratitude to Datharm for this vital intervention and acknowledged the importance of technology-driven solutions in addressing healthcare challenges.

“We believe technology is key to solving our healthcare challenges,” Governor Radda stated. “That is why we introduced e-health solutions in our major health facilities and created an ICT directorate to oversee these innovations. There is no meaningful development without data, and MCHTrack is a critical tool for ensuring that every child gets immunized and that mothers receive the care they need.”

“The MCHTrack project is a program that enhances immunization as well as helping pregnant women receive the necessary care that they need and we will continue to support it at whatever level.” 

The governor further emphasized the administration’s commitment to improving primary healthcare across the state. “We have awarded contracts for 150 new primary health centers, ensuring that they are functional and operate 24/7. Our goal is to reduce maternal and child mortality rates by making healthcare more accessible to all.”

A Brighter Future for Maternal and Child Health

MCHTrack stands as a testament to the power of technology in transforming healthcare. As the program scales up, the hope is to expand its reach, making maternal and child healthcare more accessible across Nigeria.

“Visibility is a critical first step toward achieving equitable healthcare access, especially for marginalized and hard-to-reach populations. With MCHTrack, we’re strengthening that visibility–ensuring every woman and child is counted, seen and supported.” Amina emphasizes.