Background
Postnatal care (PNC) coverage in Uganda remains sub optimal: only 50 % of women receive any PNC within 48 h, and retention falls sharply thereafter. To address this gap, the QuickRes web based reservation and case management platform—already deployed for HIV and SRH services in 40 countries—was adapted in 2023 for maternal health at two high volume facilities in Kampala. The pilot integrated one click scheduling of all four recommended PNC visits, automated SMS reminders (48 h and 24 h), provider “call back” functionality, and harmonised six week PNC and infant immunisation appointments.
Methods
A mixed methods evaluation compared routine DHIS2 service delivery data for 12 months pre intervention (May 2022–Apr 2023) with 12 months post launch (May 2023–Apr 2024) and tracked a cohort of women enrolled through QuickRes. Client (n = 14) and provider (n = 9) interviews explored usability and workload. Infrastructure and recurrent costs were documented to inform scale up.
Results
Facility wide attendance rose from 34 % to 41 % for the six day PNC visit (+7 pp) and from 37 % to 42 % for the six week visit (+5 pp); six month attendance fell slightly (30 % → 28 %). QuickRes uptake averaged 64 % of all deliveries (peaking at 89 % during uninterrupted implementation). Within the QuickRes cohort (n = 5,501), 75 % of mothers received support at six days (41 % in person + 34 % virtual), 74 % attended in person at six weeks, and 70 % at six months. Coordinating maternal and infant visits increased maternal six week attendance to 72 %—nearly doubling the pre intervention rate—while infant immunisation coverage remained stable at 73 %. Users valued SMS reminders and real time dashboards; providers reported improved workflow despite modest increases in registration workload. Annual incremental costs were modest (e.g., US$600 per facility for internet; US$925 per facility for SMS).
Conclusion
Low cost digital scheduling and follow up markedly improved early and six week PNC retention and demonstrated high acceptability among mothers and providers. Scaling QuickRes across Uganda and other African settings could accelerate progress toward the EPMM and ENAP targets for maternal and newborn survival.
Keywords: Early Childhood Immunization; Post-natal Care; Maternal and Child Health; Digital Health; Telehealth; Appointments; Case Management; SMS
