Talking HealthTech: 409 – Connected maternity care – the future is here. Anoushka Gungadin, HeraMED

Maternity care has largely remained unchanged for decades, but the emergence of remote care and connected care is heralding a revolution in this space. The question begs: What is needed to bring maternity care into the 21st century? 

In this episode of Talking Health Tech, Anoushka Gungadin, the Executive Vice President for ANZ at HeraMED, sheds light on the company’s role in transforming maternity care through technology and digital innovation. 

Challenges in Current Maternity Care Landscape

Anoushka Gungadin highlighted that the traditional model of maternity care, which involves numerous in-person visits to healthcare providers, has remained largely unchanged for almost a century. This approach tends to be provider-centric and is structured around hospital-based care. The system does not fully consider the evolving lifestyles of modern mothers, who are often working and managing multiple responsibilities. Anoushka emphasised the need to re-evaluate the existing maternity care framework and adapt it to the contemporary needs of expectant mothers. This involves moving from a hospital-centric model to a more personalised and mum-centred approach, integrating technology into the delivery of maternity care.

“We are digitalising how pregnancy care is experienced and delivered.”

The Role of Technology in Revolutionising Maternity Care

Technology holds the key to transforming maternity care by addressing the limitations of the current landscape. Anoushka emphasised the need to embrace digital solutions that offer convenience, continuous monitoring, and access to relevant information for expectant mothers. HeraMED’s approach involves creating a mum-centric platform that delivers a high level of medical care while empowering and educating mothers throughout their pregnancy journey. The integration of connected devices, remote monitoring, and customised care plans ensures that mothers receive individualised care, enhancing safety and accuracy without compromising on the quality of healthcare services.

Equity of Access and Remote Rural Care

One of the significant advantages of leveraging technology in maternity care is the potential to improve equity of access, especially for mothers in remote and rural areas. Anoushka highlighted the disparity in access to maternity care, with some women having to travel long distances to receive essential services. By expanding the reach of technology-enabled maternity care, it becomes possible to bridge the gap and provide quality healthcare to mothers regardless of their geographic location. This shift towards more inclusive care aligns with the goal of ensuring that every expectant mother has access to the support and resources needed to navigate pregnancy and childbirth.

“Technology has to be a pivotal, crucial part in trying to improve equity of access to these types of care.”

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

Anoushka emphasised the importance of collaboration across various stakeholders to advance the use of technology in maternity care. This collaborative approach involves engaging healthcare providers, government entities, hospitals, technology providers, and academia to collectively address the challenges and opportunities within the maternity care landscape. By fostering a shared vision for the future of healthcare, it becomes possible to drive policy changes, improve funding mechanisms, and promote the adoption of innovative solutions to enhance maternity care.

The Future of Maternity Care and Women’s Health

Looking ahead, the future of maternity care holds immense promise, driven by advancements in technology and a shift towards more inclusive and personalised care models. The ability to reach expectant mothers in diverse settings, including urban, rural, and remote areas, represents a significant milestone in improving healthcare access and outcomes. Additionally, placing a greater focus on women’s health as a holistic and lifelong journey, from early stages of pregnancy to menopause, underscores the need for continuous innovation and investment in this critical area of healthcare. 

Empowering Mothers Through Technology-Enabled Maternity Care

The episode of Talking Health Tech with Anoushka Gungadin highlighted the pivotal role of technology in revolutionising maternity care. By embracing a mum-centric approach, integrating connected care, and fostering collaboration across healthcare stakeholders, it becomes possible to empower expectant mothers, enhance access to care, and improve health outcomes. As technology continues to evolve, the future of maternity care looks promising, with a focus on meeting the diverse needs of women and transforming the traditional paradigms of healthcare delivery.

Technology has the power to reshape maternity care, making it more accessible, inclusive, and personalised. The shift towards a digitalised and mum-centred approach holds the potential to create a transformative impact in the realm of women’s health and maternity care, ensuring that every mother receives the support and healthcare services necessary for a safe and fulfilling pregnancy journey.

_{Source talkinghealthtech.com}