mMIST Project

A provider-to-provider mobile phone consultation service improving pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Northwest Cameroon. This innovative system connects remote healthcare providers with experts 24/7, addressing one of the world's highest maternal and perinatal mortality rates.

Project Aims

Aim 1

Adapted and developed a 24/7 mHealth support system by conducting in-depth interviews (n=46) and 3 focus groups (n=18) with: current and previously pregnant women, maternity care providers, mobile service providers, Ministry of Health workers, and mobile service provider representatives.

Aim 2

Pilot tested mMIST's feasibility and acceptability in Ndop health district. The mMIST system was established with the help of experts in Cameroon and providers were trained including: 16 first line providers, 13 expert providers, and over 34 peripheral providers.

Aim 3

Implemented mMIST across 16 health districts in Cameroon and evaluated mMIST in reducing maternal and perinatal deaths. Health districts were enrolled in 4 groups of 4 every 4 months.

Project Highlights

Key achievements and impact metrics from the mMIST initiative in improving maternal and newborn healthcare in Northwest Cameroon

Impact Overview

566+

Total Calls

1,148+

Providers Trained

183

Expert Consultations

Top Reasons for Calls

Analysis of 566 total calls from March 2022 to October 2024

Maternal Cases (81%)

Abnormal labor 13%

Hemorrhage 9%

Hypertensive disorder 7%

See full information

Neonatal Cases (19%)

Prematurity 14%

Asphyxia 13%

Infection 12%

See full information

Implementation Rollout

Health districts were enrolled in 4 groups of 4 every six months and continued their engagement in the mMIST project from their time of enrollment (included in Table 1) until March 2025.

Table 1. Sites Randomized to Each Step

Step	Health Districts	Start Date
1	**Ndop, Oku, Wum, Bafut	March 2023
2	Kumbo East, Kumbo West, Batibo, Nkambe	September 2023
3	Fundong, Bali, Bamenda, Bamenda 3	March 2024
4	Mbengwi, Ndu, Santa, Tubah	September 2024

**Ndop was enrolled during Aim 2 for the pilot phase.

Current Challenges

Network
Connection

Phone
Credit/Airtime

Transportation

Ongoing
Civil Conflict

mMIST System and Call Flow

First line, expert, and peripheral providers were directly trained by the mMIST team or according to the train-the-trainer model.

Provider Definitions

Peripheral providers: Providers in remote areas calling into the mMIST system
First line providers: Maternity midwives and nurses in Nkwen Baptist Hospital answering the calls
Expert providers: OBGYNs and pediatricians on call for additional consultation, as needed