Prenatal pal

With Prenatal Pal app We aim to bridge this gap by developing an application (software) offering virtual consultations, health education, community support forums and emergency coordination customized for local contexts. We plan to complement this with on-ground health camps.

We also plan to complement the app by organizing free maternal health camps and childbirth education workshops in underserved rural communities periodically to drive accessibility.

• Northern Nigeria continues to have over twice the national average maternal mortality rate at 1,100+ deaths per 100,000 live births.
• High mortality rates persist due to limited accessibility of medical facilities (40% lack access), high poverty levels, cultural taboos discouraging prenatal care, and transportation issues in remote villages.
• 54% of northern Nigerian women own mobile phones - a potential market of 20M+ users for a localized prenatal care app.
• Over 5 million pregnancies occur annually across northern Nigeria, indicating urgent need for improved maternal healthcare access.
• Our customized solution combined with a first-mover advantage and partnerships gives us a competitive edge to tap into this opportune maternal health-tech space.

Prenatal pal aim to make quality prenatal and postpartum healthcare accessible even in remote villages across northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large by leveraging an innovative application solution. We aim to empower mothers with knowledge, tools and support.

Over 5 million pregnancies occur annually in northern Nigeria, yet quality prenatal care is scarce. Our localized solution taps into this untapped maternal health-tech space. We plan to acquire 300,000+ active users within 2 years starting from Kano state Nigeria.

• Northern Nigeria continues to have over twice the national average maternal mortality rate at 1,100+ deaths per 100,000 live births.
• High mortality rates persist due to limited accessibility of medical facilities (40% lack access), high poverty levels, cultural taboos discouraging prenatal care, and transportation issues in remote villages.
• 54% of northern Nigerian women own mobile phones - a potential market of 20M+ users for a localized prenatal care app.
• Over 5 million pregnancies occur annually across northern Nigeria, indicating urgent need for improved maternal healthcare access.
• Our customized solution combined with a first-mover advantage and partnerships gives us a competitive edge to tap into this opportune maternal health-tech space.

I and my team live in Kano state which happens to be part of the northern Nigeria where prenatal education is poor, lack of adequate knowledge and cultural beliefs promote in the mortality rate of infants and pregnant mothers. We believe that we are in the right position to tackle this problem.

We have developed a prototype in order to present our software and also made alliance with hospitals in kano state such as Aminu Kano teaching hospital, Novomed hospitals, UMC Zhahir hospitals. Here is the link for more https://prenatalpal.netlify.ap...

Prenatal pal focus on the following agendas and seek the adequate assistance from SOLVE.

• Focus on cost-efficient digital marketing campaigns on relevant social media platforms, health forums, apps and websites frequented by our target personas - pregnant women in northern Nigeria.
• Search engine optimization for improved app discoverability when women search for pregnancy-related information online.
• PR campaigns in conjunction with hospitals, agencies and NGO partners to gain earned media and expert endorsements.
• Referral incentives to motivate existing users to share the app within their communities.
• Active engagement and educational campaigns through local events, influencers, maternal health workshops etc.
• Long-term partnerships with hospitals, clinics, NGOs, government health agencies for cross-promotion and lead generation.
• Optimizing app and content for low bandwidth mobile internet connectivity predominant in rural target markets.

Looking ahead, Prenatal Pal is not just a startup; it is a catalyst for meaningful change and a beacon of hope for mothers who deserve quality healthcare, irrespective of their geographical location or economic standing. In these coming years, we envision Prenatal Pal not only as a technological solution but as a force for positive transformation in maternal healthcare.

Prenatal pal is expected to have a positive impact on the problems people face by making it easier for them to manage their health and wellness. Here's how and why:

1. Convenience: Our app provides a convenient way for people to track their health-related activities such as exercise, nutrition, and medication intake all in one place. This saves users time and effort compared to traditional methods like pen and paper or multiple apps.

2. Personalization: Prenatal pal app allows users to personalize their health goals and plans based on their individual needs and preferences. This tailored approach helps users stay motivated and engaged in their health journey.

3. Access to Information: Prenatal pal offers access to reliable health information and resources, empowering users to make informed decisions about their health. This can help alleviate confusion and uncertainty about medical conditions and treatments.

The impact goals for our health app solution may vary depending on its specific objectives and target audience. However, here are some common impact goals for prenatal pal and how progress can be measured:

1. Improved Health Outcomes: The primary goal of prenatal pal app is to improve health outcomes such as weight loss, increased physical activity, better management of chronic conditions, or improved mental well-being. Progress towards this goal can be measured by tracking key health metrics such as weight, BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, or mental health assessments over time.

2. Increased User Engagement: Another important goal is to increase user engagement with the app, as higher engagement often leads to better outcomes. Metrics for measuring user engagement may include the frequency and duration of app usage, the number of active users, retention rates, and user satisfaction surveys.

3. Behavioral Change: Many health apps aim to promote positive behavior change, such as adopting healthier eating habits, increasing exercise frequency, quitting smoking, or adhering to medication regimens. Progress towards this goal can be measured by tracking changes in user behaviors over time through self-reported data, activity tracking, or integration with wearable devices

The core technology powering our app depends on its specific functionalities and features. However, here are some key components and technologies commonly used in prenatal pal app:

1. Mobile Development: Prenatal pal app is built as mobile applications for iOS and/or Android platforms. For this, technologies such as Swift or Objective-C for iOS development and Java or Kotlin for Android development are commonly used. Cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter may also be utilized to develop apps that work on multiple platforms with a single codebase.

2. Backend Development: The backend of the app handles data storage, processing, and communication with external systems such as databases, APIs, and third-party services. Technologies commonly used for backend development include:

   • Programming Languages: Languages such as Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS are often used for the backend development.
   • Frameworks: Frameworks like Python, Spring , or ASP.NET provide tools and libraries for building robust backend systems.
   • Databases: SQL databases like MySQL, are commonly used to store and manage healthcare data securely.
3. Data Security and Compliance: Our comply with strict regulations and standards for data privacy and security, such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the United States or GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in the European Union. Technologies and practices used to ensure data security and compliance include encryption, access controls, secure authentication methods, and regular security audits.

1. Integration with Healthcare Systems: Your app may need to integrate with electronic health record (EHR) systems, hospital information systems (HIS), or other healthcare IT systems to access patient data or provide seamless connectivity with healthcare providers. This integration is typically achieved through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provided by the respective systems.

2. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX): A user-friendly interface is crucial for healthcare apps to ensure ease of use and accessibility for all users. Technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used for front-end development, along with UI frameworks like React.js, Angular, or Vue.js to create responsive and intuitive user interfaces.
   

We are five (5) in number who partake in this development

It took us about a year to complete all the development processes and alliance with hospitals in kano state

Creating a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment within a team requires intentional effort and ongoing commitment. Here are some strategies to ensure diversity, minimize barriers to opportunity, and foster inclusivity:

1. Diverse Recruitment Practices: We Implement recruitment strategies that attract candidates from a variety of backgrounds. This may include public enlightenment in diverse communities, attending career fairs targeting underrepresented groups, and using inclusive language in job descriptions.

2. Flexible Work Policies:  We Offer flexible work arrangements to accommodate the needs of diverse team members, such as remote work options, flexible hours. This helps to minimize barriers for individuals with caregiving responsibilities or other personal commitments.

3. Regular Feedback and Evaluation:  Prenatal pal implement mechanisms for gathering feedback from team members on the inclusivity of the work environment and organizational practices. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.
   

To discuss on how to provide value to our users certain approach and research was conducted and here are some valid points.

• Northern Nigeria continues to have over twice the national average maternal mortality rate at 1,100+ deaths per 100,000 live births.
• High mortality rates persist due to limited accessibility of medical facilities (40% lack access), high poverty levels, cultural taboos discouraging prenatal care, and transportation issues in remote villages.
• 54% of northern Nigerian women own mobile phones - a potential market of 20M+ users for a localized prenatal care app.
• Over 5 million pregnancies occur annually across northern Nigeria, indicating urgent need for improved maternal healthcare access.
• Our customized solution combined with a first-mover advantage and partnerships gives us a competitive edge to tap into this opportune maternal health-tech space.

In this part where we look at the financial projections, we tend to look at future revenues that will be generated and how to manage this expenses.

Financial Projections

Key Assumptions:

• 300,000 active users by Year 2
• 5% conversion from free to paid subscriptions
• ₦12 average revenue per user per year

Year 1

• Users: 100,000
• Revenue: ₦600,000
• Operating Costs: ₦2 million
• Net Loss: ₦1.4 million

Year 2

• Users: 300,000
• Revenue: ₦3.6 million
• Operating Costs: ₦2 million
• Net Profit: ₦1.6 million

The funding will be utilized across technology, medical team, marketing, partnerships, and operations. We aim to be self-sustaining/profitable by Year 3.

Revenue Streams and Monetization

• Paid Subscriptions: Offer premium subscription plans with additional features, customization, enhanced analytics etc. Can have tiered plans for different usage levels.
• Sponsorships: Seek sponsorships from healthcare brands, hospitals, insurance providers etc. to fund app operations or offline health camps.
• Branded Content: Create sponsored health articles, videos, posts in collaboration with relevant brands.
• Data Monetization: Derive anonymized insights from app data to provide analytics services to government health agencies, NGOs, researchers etc.
• Advertising: Run highly targeted and non-intrusive ads by brands catering to expecting mothers. Maintain strict ad quality policies.
• Transaction Fees: Charge small transaction fee on telehealth consultations, diagnostic test bookings, medicine deliveries etc. facilitated through the app.
• Corporate Tie-ups: Partnerships with companies to offer maternal care benefits, discounts, insurance to their employees using PrenatalPal app.
• Grants: Apply for social impact focused maternal health grants by foundations, philanthropic organizations, impact investors.
• Events: Organize sponsored maternal health seminars, workshops, conferences both digitally and physically.

Prenatal pal successfully emerged as the overall first position in the Center Of Excellence entrepreneurship challenge organized by Skyline University Nigeria where a grand prize of N50000 was given to us which we used the money in making real life videos of how pregnant women suffer and how prenatal pal change their lives.