Abia launches app to track risky pregnancies, plans to hire more health workers

In a bid to cut down maternal and child deaths in the state, the Abia State Government has launched a digital app called CYTrack. This app will help identify, monitor, and manage high-risk and teenage pregnancies across the state.

Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, shared this news on Monday, 10 August, during a press briefing after the Executive Council meeting led by Governor Alex Otti.

Ferdinand Ekeoma, the special adviser on media and publicity to Governor Otti, released a statement about the app on Tuesday.

The commissioner explained that the State Ministry of Health is testing the app. It has successfully tracked teenage pregnancies and monitored mothers through delivery to avoid unnecessary 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 said.

He added that the rollout of this technology is part of the Otti administration’s efforts to reform the health sector, which have led to real improvements in healthcare in the state.

Mr Kanu also mentioned that data from operational Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) showed an increase in healthcare use, especially 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.

On the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme, Mr Kanu pointed out that from 27 July to 7 August, enrolment rose from 233,000 to 237,000. He also mentioned that the Abiriba Community Improvement Union in North America has promised to sponsor over 1,000 people under the scheme.

He called on other communities and groups in the state to follow suit and help those in need access quality healthcare.

As part of ongoing changes in the health sector, Mr Kanu said the Abia State Civil Service Commission will begin another round of hiring healthcare professionals. He noted that 742 medical workers have been employed 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 stated that the reforms under Governor Otti have gained attention, citing a recent report by Philips Consulting and SBI. This report ranked Abia first in the nation for healthcare affordability and among the top three in healthcare quality.

He described this recognition as proof of the changes happening 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 stated.

The Commissioner for Health, Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, also explained that the CYTrack application came from a pilot project using Google technology. It gathers important information about demographics and pregnancies, like a woman’s age and last menstrual period. This helps health workers spot high-risk pregnancies and set antenatal care schedules.

He noted that teenagers, women without antenatal care, and those depending on traditional birth attendants are especially at risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

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

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

Mr Uche added that the system also helps health workers track pregnant women nearing their expected delivery dates and arrange for them to be taken to health facilities if needed. He said that this system has already helped with successful deliveries among teenage pregnancies managed through the programme.

He mentioned that the initiative was created to tackle Abia’s specific maternal health issues and is being adjusted to fit the state’s needs.

According to the health commissioner, the state government aims to provide “well-equipped and adequately staffed hospitals, but also to address the underlying causes of maternal mortality by identifying vulnerable women early and ensuring they get timely care.”

He urged pregnant women to sign up for the state’s health insurance program, noting that registered pregnant women can access free maternal health services and delivery, including Caesarean sections, under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund arrangement.