Upgrading delivery rooms in Africa's primary healthcare systems: a combination strategy of the 'staff, stuff, space, and systems' framework and emerging technologies.

Abstract

Maternal health disparities in sub-Saharan Africa remain critical, with high maternal mortality ratio requiring urgent interventions. In this viewpoint, we propose an integrated strategy combining the 'staff, stuff, space, and systems' (4S) framework with emerging technologies to upgrade delivery rooms in primary health care settings. Infrastructure enhancements, point-of-care innovations like artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics and ultrasound, and workforce training through traditional training-of-trainers approach or emerging simulation-based education aim to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. While financial and systemic barriers persist, sustainable funding, community engagement, and policy support are crucial for success. The integrated strategy offers a scalable solution to reduce maternal mortality and advance the maternal and child health targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.