In a landmark development for Africa‘s healthcare landscape, Field, a prominent African healthtech company, has obtained an $11 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This funding will launch a transformative initiative aimed at addressing maternal mortality, enhancing newborn health, and improving child nutrition across the continent. This backing highlights the urgent need to bolster healthcare systems in Africa, where maternal mortality remains a severe public health challenge.
Leveraging Technology to Save Lives
Field will utilize its proprietary technology platform, alongside its extensive network of over 40,000 healthcare providers in both rural and urban areas of Kenya and Nigeria. The new initiative aims to deliver innovative therapies and streamline the distribution and financing of essential medical supplies. This strategic approach is designed to combat the root causes of maternal and child deaths, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
The Alarming Reality of Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality rates in Africa are critically high. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa accounts for 69% of global maternal deaths, with Nigeria alone representing 29% of these fatalities in 2020. A woman in Africa is 45 times more likely to die during childbirth compared to her European counterparts, underscoring the urgency for effective interventions.
Introducing Life-Saving Interventions
Field’s initiative seeks to alter this grim reality by providing life-saving access for expectant mothers. Key therapies, including heat-stable carbetocin and calibrated drapes, will be introduced to help detect and treat postpartum hemorrhage—the leading cause of maternal deaths in Africa. These interventions aim to prevent complications such as preeclampsia, ensuring they are accessible in diverse healthcare settings, from rural clinics to urban hospitals.
Field: Pioneering Innovative Healthcare Solutions
Since its inception in 2015, Field has focused on integrating technology with healthcare services to create scalable systems tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. The company has facilitated over 800 million health interventions across more than 60 therapeutic areas, including family planning, HIV, and tuberculosis.
Expanding Infrastructure for Quality Care
The new maternal and child health initiative will enhance Field’s existing robust infrastructure by introducing advanced technologies such as digitized healthcare systems and pharma-grade refrigerators for the crucial last-mile delivery of medicines. Furthermore, Field will implement financing solutions to strengthen the operational capabilities of healthcare providers, equipping them with the resources needed to deliver high-quality care.
Building Partnerships for Sustainable Solutions
Field’s initiative is not solely focused on technology and logistics; it emphasizes building collaborative partnerships. By uniting governments, manufacturers, healthcare providers, and key stakeholders, the initiative aims to create a comprehensive coalition dedicated to transforming maternal and child healthcare across Africa. This coalition can develop sustainable routes to market for emerging therapies, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations gain access to critical treatments.
Voices of Leadership: A Vision for Change
Michael Moreland, CEO and Founder of Field, spoke passionately about the initiative’s significance: “This is public health powered by technology,” he stated. He stressed that the services developed over the past eight years are now poised to be integrated into large-scale public health programs, significantly improving healthcare outcomes across Africa.
Moreland acknowledged the challenging economic climate impacting healthcare but expressed optimism: “Our role is to ensure that the progress we’ve made doesn’t slip. The problems facing healthcare in Africa will not be solved on their own, and that’s where Field and our funders come in.”
Expanding the Impact Beyond Maternal Health
In addition to its focus on maternal and child health, Field continues to expand its influence across the continent. Through its Field Supply platform, the company has created the largest pharmaceutical supply chain in Africa, distributing over 3,000 quality products in Nigeria and Kenya. This extensive network serves various clients, from large hospital systems to small family-run pharmacies.
The platform also offers trade financing, empowering healthcare providers to invest in new medical technologies, thereby addressing working capital constraints that often restrict access to essential therapies and equipment.