Nigerian Healthtech Startup Helium Health Secures Google Grant to Deploy AI for Maternal Care

Helium Health, a Nigerian health technology company established in 2014, has received a substantial USD 2.5 million grant from Google.org. This funding is earmarked for the deployment of artificial intelligence tools specifically designed to enhance maternal healthcare in Nigeria by identifying pregnancy risks.

The initiative, dubbed HeliumMum, aims to reach 1.9 million pregnant women over a three-year period. It will commence in Lagos State before expanding its operations to Delta, Kano, and Oyo states, addressing a critical need for improved maternal health outcomes in the country.

Helium Health, co-founded by Adegoke Olubusi, Dimeji Sofowora, and Tito Ovia, specializes in electronic medical records, hospital management, and healthcare financing software. The new AI-powered program will integrate risk detection capabilities with clinical decision-support tools, empowering community health workers to identify potential pregnancy complications much earlier than traditional methods.

This strategic investment by Google.org underscores a growing recognition of AI's potential to address significant public health challenges in Africa. By leveraging advanced technology, Helium Health seeks to build on its previous success, having already served over 3.5 million women through its maternal health programs, and further strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria.