African Mothers Co., Ltd. (“African Mothers”), Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (“IIJ”), TOPPAN Holdings Inc. (“TOPPAN”), and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”) announced today that they signed a memorandum on collaboration to build and deploy a digital platform for the purpose of improving maternal and child healthcare in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire. 

1. Background

Although Cote d'Ivoire is an economic powerhouse in West Africa, its maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain high. The reasons for this are the insufficient provision of accurate knowledge regarding pregnancy and childbirth to pregnant and postpartum women through means such as maternal and child health records and the lack of systematic management of information regarding mothers and children in hospitals. Consequently, improving maternal and child health is an urgent matter.
Under these circumstances, it is difficult for midwives to provide appropriate guidance based on past medical information. It is hoped that digitalization and centralized management of healthcare data will provide a solution.

2. This Initiative

Pursuant to the memorandum that was signed today, the four companies seek to develop and introduce a digital maternal and child records app. The app will enable midwives to input and share prenatal checkup records using a smartphone and allow pregnant women themselves to access their records using their own phones. As a result, not only will it be easier for pregnant and postpartum women to understand their own medical information, different midwives will also be able to share medical information, making it possible to provide continuous and appropriate health guidance to women.
In addition to the digital maternal and child records app, a system will be developed to centrally gather and manage healthcare information, such as vaccination history, facilitating the use of healthcare records in medical settings and leading to improved service quality.
Furthermore, a micro data center^*1 will be established locally as infrastructure for ensuring the stable operation of the app and system, creating a framework for the continuous provision of maternal and child healthcare services as a whole. 

3. Future Plans

Going forward, the four companies will establish a health guidance program centered on the digital maternal and child records app and plan and develop related apps and systems. Later, they will introduce and verify the effectiveness of a demonstration version in urban areas while cooperating with the national government and relevant organizations. Over the medium to long term, the service territory will be expanded and utilization of accumulated medical data and collaboration with other healthcare initiatives will be promoted with the aim of providing sustainable maternal and child health services.

4. Roles of Participating Companies

≪Reference≫ Overviews of Participating Companies
［Overview of African Mothers］

［Overview of IIJ］

［Overview of TOPPAN］

［Overview of Toyota Tsusho］