Helium Health wins $2.5 million Google.org grant for AI in maternal care

Nigerian e-health startup Helium Health has secured a US$2.5 million grant from Google.org to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enhance maternal healthcare delivery across Nigeria. Helium Health describes its product as the most widely used Electronic Medical Records/Hospital Management Information System (EMR/HMIS) in West Africa.

Helium Health is one of 15 global recipients of the US$30 million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation. This initiative supports organisations that collaborate with governments to improve public service delivery. The grant will facilitate the deployment of clinical AI models through Helium Health’s maternal health initiative, HeliumMum, in Lagos, Delta, Kano, and Oyo states, with Lagos as the primary launch site.

HeliumMum will use AI tools to help pregnant women identify potential complications early and connect them with appropriate healthcare providers. The platform will link women to facilities equipped with electronic medical records and AI-powered clinical decision support systems, enabling healthcare professionals to make better-informed decisions. Additionally, it will provide governments with actionable data to strengthen maternal health services and identify gaps in care.

Helium Health aims to reach an additional 1.9 million women over three years and contribute to a 30% reduction in maternal mortality. The startup has already reached over 3.5 million women through its maternal health initiatives over the past decade. Maggie Johnson, global head of Google.org, said the programme backs organisations closest to the problem with funding and pro bono support from Google’s AI experts.