Abia rolls out app to track high-risk pregnancies, set to recruit more health workers

In its sustained effort to reduce maternal and child mortality in the state, the Abia State Government has deployed a digital application called CYTrack to identify, monitor and manage high-risk and teenage pregnancies across the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, 10 August, while briefing journalists on the outcome of their Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the special adviser on media and publicity to Governor Otti.

According to the commissioner, the application, which the State Ministry of Health is piloting, has successfully tracked teenage pregnancies and monitored expectant mothers through delivery to prevent avoidable maternal and child deaths.

“This app, referred to as CYTrack, has been used to successfully track teenage pregnancies and monitor such pregnancies up to delivery to prevent maternal mortality,” Mr Kanu stated.

The commissioner added that the deployment of the technology is part of the Otti administration’s reforms in the health sector, which he noted have continued to produce measurable improvements in healthcare delivery across the state.

Mr Kanu further revealed that data from functionalised Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) showed increased healthcare utilisation, particularly in outpatient visits and deliveries.

According to him, “The first 50 functionalised PHCs accounted for more than 20 per cent of the 1,067,000 outpatient department visits recorded between July 2025 and June 2026.

“Three additional PHCs have been functionalised between 27 July and 7 August, bringing the total number of functionalised centres in the state to 151, up from 148.

“Another 25 equipped PHCs are scheduled for functionalisation within the next three months,” the information commissioner disclosed.

Increased enrolment in the Abia health insurance scheme

On the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme, Mr Kanu noted that between 27 July and 7 August, enrolment increased from 233,000 to 237,000.

He also disclosed that the Abiriba Community Improvement Union, North America, has committed to sponsoring over 1,000 people under the scheme.

He urged other communities and groups in the state to emulate the gesture by helping the needy and vulnerable access quality healthcare.

In line with the ongoing transformation of the health sector, Mr Kanu said the Abia State Civil Service Commission will commence another phase of recruitment of healthcare professionals. He noted that 742 medical personnel have been hired so far.

“The new exercise is targeting Medical Officers, Dental Officers and Consultants for both full-time and part-time appointments,” he said.

The commissioner said the health sector reforms under Governor Otti have attracted external recognition, citing a recent report by Philips Consulting and SBI, which ranked Abia first nationally in healthcare affordability and among the top three states in healthcare quality.

He described the recognition as independent validation of the transformation recorded in the state’s health sector.

“The ranking and recognition by Philips Consulting serves as independent validation of Abia’s impressive transformation journey so far in the health sector,” Mr Kanu noted.

Information about the new app

Contributing, the Commissioner for Health, Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, explained that the CYTrack application was developed from a pilot project using Google technology. It captures key demographic and pregnancy information, including a woman’s age and last menstrual period. This enables health workers to identify high-risk pregnancies and determine expected delivery dates and antenatal care schedules.

He explained that teenagers, women without antenatal care, and those who rely on traditional birth attendants are among groups considered particularly vulnerable to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

“This application sends reminders to pregnant women ahead of their antenatal appointments and, where necessary, alerts responsible adults within their communities to ensure that the women receive appropriate care.

“When we don’t see them, the app, two days before their antenatal, sends a reminder that they should come for antenatal,” Mr Uche, a medical doctor and professor, explained.

The health commissioner added that the system also enables health workers to track pregnant women approaching their expected delivery dates and arrange for them to be taken to health facilities when necessary. He noted that the system has already contributed to successful deliveries among teenage pregnancies managed through the programme.

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Mr Uche said the initiative was developed to address Abia’s peculiar maternal health challenges and is being adapted to suit the state’s needs.

According to the health commissioner, the state government’s objective is not only to provide “well-equipped and adequately staffed hospitals, but also to tackle the underlying factors responsible for maternal mortality by identifying vulnerable women early and ensuring that they receive timely care.”

The commissioner, therefore, urged pregnant women to enrol in the state’s health insurance programme, noting that registered pregnant women are entitled to free maternal health services and delivery, including Caesarean section, under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund arrangement.