UTILIZATION OF TELE-CTG FOR STRENGTHENING MATERNAL HEALTH SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CASE STUDY IN KUPANG REGENCY, INDONESIA

Abstract

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), and stunting are still becoming issues in Indonesia. These are caused by the obstacles to access maternal health services due to geographical constraints, the distribution of doctors, and transportation infrastructure in inaccessible areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation due to delays in health services and the increasing burden of health workers. The process of fetal growth in the womb and childbirth are definite, therefore innovations of quality maternal health services for pregnant women during this pandemic are required. This study examines the use of digital technology for pregnancy in Kupang Regency. This study uses a descriptive analysis method followed by policy analysis and uses secondary data from Kupang Regency. Policy analysis consists of desk review, in depth interview and discussion. The digital technology was built and developed with a telemedicine platform, which are midwife application, dashboard and tele cardiotocography (tele-CTG). The study found that there is no maternal death of women who were examined with tele-CTG during pregnancy, while there were 11 maternal deaths of women who did not receive TeleCTG examination. Early detection of risk factors during pregnancy increased due to a 42% decrease in midwifery complications in community health centres with tele-CTG. This study found a significant difference in the risk of maternal mortality, infant mortality, and stunting between pregnant women who examined with tele-CTG and those who did not. Tele-CTG becomes a solution to increase the accessibility to ANC, trigger the strengthening of data management, accurate analysis, and solve maternal health problems compatible with the local context. This study recommends the usage of tele-CTG in areas with limited access to doctors/obstetricians during the pandemic and the recovery period. Further research is required to execute impact analysis, funding, health and social insurance benefit packages.