Health programme transforms lives 10 years on: Here is where you can register

A pioneering programme has for 10 years been supporting maternal and child health using mobile technology.

The MomConnect programme bridges the gap for pregnant women and new mothers in receiving free maternal health messages such as SMSes or WhatsApps and accessing a text-based helpdesk for ratings or queries.

Since its launch in 2014, almost five million mothers using public antenatal services have registered on the MomConnect platform at over 95% of public health facilities.

Mothers receive health and pregnancy-related information until their children turn two.

They can use the platform to seek healthcare guidance through an automated chatbot or a human-operated text-based helpdesk.

Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, praised MomConnect’s groundbreaking support for pregnant women and children.

“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of MomConnect, we honour a decade of groundbreaking support for pregnant women and their children in South Africa,” she said.

“Launched with a vision to leverage mobile technology for better maternal and child health, MomConnect has connected nearly five million mothers to essential health information and services.”

Nkomo-Ralehoko said this initiative has not only empowered women, but has also made remarkable strides in reducing maternal mortalities and promoting healthy practices.

She said that as they look into the future, they are committed to reaching five million more mothers.

“This will be achieved by working hand-in-hand with our partners, healthcare professionals, and communities to ensure every mother has access to the vital support she deserves,” she said.

“Together, let’s shape a healthier future for our next generation.”

Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said that with almost five million total registered users to date and 288 051 monthly active users, the programme has demonstrated its effectiveness.

He said that an average of 40 000 inbound helpdesk messages and 38 000 inbound Ask a Question (AAQ) messages are currently received each month, offering mothers supportive access to crucial information and guidance.

“Key achievements include a high rate of antenatal care attendance, with 96% of mothers surveyed as part of a study, attending at least four ANC visits,” said Mohale.

“Improved vaccination coverage with 89% of mothers surveyed confirming their babies received all six recommended vaccinations at six weeks.”

Mohale explained the programme has also increased breastfeeding rates and provided essential family planning guidance, contributing to healthier outcomes for mothers and babies.

CEO of Reach Digital Health Debbie Rogers congratulated the National Department of Health on this milestone.

He said they were extremely grateful for the collaboration and proud to have brought in key partners that have contributed to the country’s maternal and child health progress in such a significant way.

“Together we will continue to innovate, expand digital health services, empower mothers, impact our country and improve the health and social development of South Africans,” said Rogers.

“Together, we’ll empower five million more moms.”

Rogers added that the success of their recent AI integration on the platform shows the huge potential to scale the impact of the platform and offer the best possible health information and experience for moms at their fingertips.

In Pretoria, mothers can register for MomConnect at the following clinics:

Centurion
Lyttelton Clinic – Cnr of Cantonments Road and Clifton Avenue, Centurion

Farmcare Clinic – South Downs, Irene

Mamelodi

Stanza Bopape II Clinic – 25905 Hector Peterson Street, Mamelodi East Ext 8

Holani Clinic – 19600 Tlou Street, Mamelodi East

Mamelodi West Clinic – Cnr of Shabangu and Ntchabeleng streets, Mamelodi West

Phahameng Clinic – 19619 Hinterland Avenue, Mamelodi East Ext 17

Khutsong East Clinic – 2829 Tswana Section, Khutsong

Khutsong Ext 3 Clinic – 6188 Ext 3, Khutsong

Khutsong South Clinic – 01 Sompane Road

Khutsong West Clinic – 7176 Xhosa Section, Khutsong

Naledi Clinic – 741 Letsatsi/Radebe Street, Naledi Ext 2

Moot
East Lynne Clinic – Pieter Krynauw Centre, Cnr of Meeu and Stegmann streets, East Lynne, Ekklesia

Medicross Gezina Clinic – 593 Nico Smith Street

North
Doornpoort Clinic – Cnr of Dr van der Merwe and Amandelboom streets, Doornpoort

Karenpark Clinic – Cnr of Heinrich and 1st Avenue, Karenpark

PnP Montana Clinic – Cnr of Zambezi Drive and Enkeldoorn Avenue, Montana

Jack Hindon Clinic – 376 Jack Hindon Street, Pretoria North

Rosslyn Clinic – 1 Piet Rautenbach Street, Rosslyn

Dilopye Clinic – Stand 192, Dilopye, Hammanskraal

M Shiceka Clinic – Plot 60 Mandela Village, Hammanskraal

New Eersterus Clinic – 3285 Block B, New Eersterus, Hammanskraal

Ramotse Clinic – Stand 2406, 2406 Ramotse, Temba

Refentse (Odi) Clinic – 3194 Tambo 11, Stinkwater, Hammanskraal, 0109

Suurman Clinic – Stand 871, Suurman, Hammanskraal

Rekord Noweto

Boikhutsong Clinic – 1266 Block T, Soshanguve Block T

M Rantho Clinic – 3180 Block L, Soshanguve

Soshanguve 1 Clinic – Soshanguve H

Soshanguve 2 Clinic – Stand 1850, Soshanguve Block G

Soshang Block JJ Clinic – 972 Rivoningo Street, Soshanguve Block JJ

Soshang Block TT Clinic – 625, Soshanguve Block TT

Sosh Block X Clinic – 920 Block X, Soshanguve

Bambinos Well Baby Clinic – Cu 6 Morula Shopping Complex, Mangope Drive, Mabopane, Mabopane, 0190

Boekenhout Clinic – 705 Block A, Mabopane

Sedilega Clinic – 891 Block U, Mabopane

Tlamelong Clinic – 2734 Block B, Mabopane

Ga-Rankuwa View Clinic – 819 Kgaka Street, Ga-Rankuwa

Phedisong 1 Clinic – 9034 Zone 1, Ga-Rankuwa

Phedisong 6 Clinic – 7389 Tawana Street, Zone 6, Ga-Rankuwa

Pretoria East
Pretorius Park Clinic – 927 Cnr Bugle and Loristo Streets, Pretorius Park

Silverton Clinic – Pretoria Road, Silverton
Garsfontein Clinic – 890 Patryshond Street, Garsfontein

Hanekom Baby Clinic – 678 Aurelia Street, Garsfontein

Lotus Gardens Clinic – Cnr of Anthesis and Burgamont streets, Lotus Gardens

Central
OUT LGBT Well-being Clinic – 1081 Pretorius Street, Hatfield

Pretoria West
Atteridgeville Clinic – Ramohoeba Square, Cnr of Mareka and Mokobane streets, Atteridgeville

Danville Clinic – Lucas van der Berg Building, 10 Transoranje Road, Danville

Daspoort Poli Clinic – 1049 Market Street and Camp Streets, Claremont

Kameeldrift Clinic – Plot 174, Moloto Road, Kameeldrift

Folang Clinic – 175 DF Malan Drive, Pretoria West

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