Workshop in Bangladesh: Shaping efforts to digitise and introduce AI in maternal healthcare

The Institute of the Public Understanding of Risk attended a workshop in Bangladesh to present findings from the study on “Mobilizing AI for Maternal Health in Bangladesh”. The aim of the workshop was to share findings of a research paper and identify key points for early inclusion in government policy on the application of artificial intelligence in pregnancy monitoring and policy action.

The workshop held on May 10, was attended by key Bangladeshi government officials including the Secretary of the Health Services Division, Joint Secretary of A2i, policy advisors and directors of relevant arms of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (DG Family Planning, DG Health Services).

Dr Olivia Jensen (IPUR Lead Scientist for Environment and Climate) presented some of the observations and findings of the study:

Technological Challenges

• Network reach and digital access gaps: 41% of locals have access to a smartphone; just under half connect through 2G networks
• Digitalisation of medical records is incomplete; data management systems are not interoperable.

Social and Economic Challenges

• Pregnant women may not have decision-making autonomy or access to the household’s digital devices, particularly in high-risk demographics where maternal deaths are most likely (low-income, low-education, rural communities).
• Reluctance to use public health facilities for delivery.
• Equity: AI can be deployed more readily in urban areas to reach more people, but the impact on health outcomes will be magnified if it can be deployed universally.
• Willingness and ability to pay for services has been demonstrated but additional funding support needed to continuously market services and ensure affordability in high-risk demographics.

Some of the policy recommendations following her presentation revolved around extending digital access with a focus on digital equity, establish standards and protocols for data sharing by public, private and non-profit ANC providers, and provide digital training and device access for community health workers.