Kybele, a GCC-supported innovation that aims to make childbirth safe and supported for every woman and newborn, has been honoured with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) Excellence Award for its Obstetric Triage Implementation Package (OTIP). The award highlights Kybele’s important contributions to improving maternal and neonatal care in Ghana, where its OTIP program has significantly reduced waiting times for pregnant women and enhanced healthcare outcomes.
Members of the OTIP team receive a national award in 2024. Photo from https://kybeleworldwide.org/
The day a woman gives birth is the most dangerous day of her life. When a pregnant mother or her newborn baby is in distress, minutes matter. That’s why Kybele created a simple, highly replicable model to help identify potentially life-threatening complications and ensure prompt care. Using scenario-based role-playing and other tools, Kybele’s OTIP equips midwives and medical professionals with tools and training to offer high-quality care for pregnant women and newborns. Using colour-coded wristbands, standardized assessment forms, and other tools, the program ensures that women requiring urgent care are identified and treated promptly. Since OTIP was introduced, the percentage of patients being assessed within 10 minutes of arrival at local hospitals and health centres in Ghana has increased dramatically, from 5% to 85%.
By March 2025, OTIP is slated to be rolled out in all 76 of Ghana’s hospitals, with over 2,400 medical professionals trained to improve care for mothers and their babies. This recognition from GHS reflects the value of thoughtful, sustainable healthcare interventions in addressing maternal health challenges and reducing preventable deaths.
Grand Challenges Canada (with funding from the Government of Canada), is proud to have supported Kybele’s efforts to roll out OTIP across Ghana’s hospitals, using its innovative, evidence-based solutions in low-resource settings. Our partnership with Kybele has played an essential role in expanding OTIP and empowering healthcare professionals to provide timely, high-quality care. This award underscores the significant impact of collaborative efforts in advancing global health.
