Leveraging artificial intelligence for inclusive maternity care: Enhancing access for mothers with disabilities in Africa

Abstract

Women with disabilities face significant barriers in accessing maternal healthcare, which increases their risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in Africa, where resources are limited. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a unique opportunity to improve inclusivity and accessibility to antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and postnatal care for these women. This paper explores the potential of AI to address the socio-economic, physical, and institutional barriers that limit the utilisation of maternal healthcare services by women with disabilities. AI-driven technologies, such as virtual assistants, predictive analytics, and wearable devices, can enhance maternal health outcomes by improving monitoring during pregnancy, providing real-time health data, and facilitating access to skilled care. However, the successful implementation of AI in maternal healthcare in Africa faces challenges, including technological infrastructure, data quality, and ethical concerns. Collaborative efforts between governments, healthcare providers, and AI developers are necessary to overcome these challenges and ensure AI tools are inclusive, culturally sensitive, and accessible. Integrating AI into maternal healthcare services could lead to improved maternal outcomes, reduce mortality rates, and promote equity for women with disabilities in Africa.

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