In Nepal, health workers are pioneering a digital transformation in maternal health. Supported by Medic, the Ministry of Health and Population (Gandaki province), and Swiss Re Foundation, the Pregnancy Registration and Tracking Program (PRTP) combines SMS technology and an Android app built on the Community Health Toolkit to enhance pregnancy monitoring.
To understand the program’s early impact, 60 Decibels spoke with 292 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) who use PRTP. Their feedback is both encouraging and instructive: 94% of respondents feel more confident delivering care, 93% report improved care quality, and 84% say they now have more time to support high-risk beneficiaries. These insights offer a clear signal that PRTP is making a meaningful difference—not just for patients, but for the people who serve them.
Health workers report that their ability to provide care has improved, with 93% attributing this change to the training received under the PRTP.
They describe improvements in how they deliver care, including receiving automated reminders, being able to offer more timely services such as check-ups, and seeing greater beneficiary engagement as a result of more frequent follow-up visits.
Medic’s role in the PRTP is driving meaningful change: 95% of health workers report feeling empowered, and 94% feel confident in delivering care—primarily due to timely updates, real-time notifications, and positive beneficiary engagement experiences. These improvements have led to better tracking of high-risk cases, increased individual visits, and stronger coordination with peers. This reflects a positive shift in care quality, risk prioritization, and teamwork.
While 50% of health workers find the training very useful, only 41% say they fully apply it or found it easy to understand. Many request ongoing refresher trainings and more hands-on, practical learning. This points to a clear need for continued capacity building to strengthen application and retention of training content.
A Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 51 reflects strong satisfaction with the PRTP. However, 52% of users report challenges—primarily due to inadequate training, internet dependency, and app-related glitches. Strengthening technical support, enhancing offline functionality, and improving follow-up training will be critical to maintaining satisfaction and increasing adoption.
