Nakuru County, in partnership with Jacaranda Health, is enhancing maternal and newborn health outcomes through the PROMPTS program, a digital health solution designed to support pregnant women with vital information and timely interventions. This partnership reflects the County Government’s commitment to improving maternal and child health services under the leadership of H.E. Governor Susan Kihika.

PROMPTS, short for Personalized Remote Outreach for Maternal and Perinatal Support, uses mobile technology to send informative text messages to expectant mothers and new mothers. These messages include guidance on pregnancy care, reminders for antenatal visits, and advice on recognizing danger signs. If any warning signs are detected based on a mother’s text response, the system automatically triggers a phone call from a health professional who directs the patient to the nearest appropriate health facility. The use of mobile health (mHealth) tools like PROMPTS ensures real-time response, better health-seeking behavior, and earlier management of complications.

To date, the PROMPTS initiative is active in 126 health facilities across Nakuru County and has registered 13,874 pregnant women. The system has handled more than 59,000 inquiries from mothers, demonstrating its role in improving access to health information and maternal care services.

In line with these efforts, the County Executive for Health Services, Roselyn Mungai, today received the team from Jacaranda Health, led by Country Director Dr. Job Makoyo and Head of Partnerships Joseph Mutweleli. The team visited Lanet Health Centre, a high-volume facility within the county, to observe the implementation of the PROMPTS program and to conduct a key training for healthcare workers.

Lanet Health Centre serves as a critical point of care, with an average of 90 deliveries per month and in some cases, numbers exceeding 100. Given the high demand, strengthening the skills of healthcare workers is essential to reducing maternal and neonatal complications. As part of the visit, Jacaranda Health conducted a Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) training session, which focused on equipping nurses and midwives with practical skills to handle emergency situations such as postpartum hemorrhage, obstructed labor, and neonatal resuscitation.

The BEmONC training consists of an 11-step protocol that healthcare workers must follow to provide timely and appropriate care. By focusing on emergency preparedness, the program enhances the capacity of frontline health workers and supports better clinical decision-making. This initiative contributes to reduced maternal and newborn mortality and aligns with the county’s goal of delivering quality and accessible healthcare.

During the visit, the health team toured the maternal and child health outpatient department and the maternity ward. They observed the application of digital systems, patient flow, and the integration of PROMPTS into the day-to-day operations of the facility.

Also in attendance were County Health staff including Mercy Kanyua, Robert Ouko, and Wilson Maina, who continue to play a supportive role in the rollout and monitoring of maternal health programs within the county.

The collaboration between Nakuru County and Jacaranda Health highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing public health goals. With the continued rollout of programs like PROMPTS and ongoing training for healthcare providers, the county is making steady progress toward ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for mothers and babies. These efforts are consistent with Governor Susan Kihika’s broader vision of strengthening healthcare delivery systems and achieving universal health coverage for all residents.