According to WHO, “every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth” and 99% of the deaths occur in developing countries.  To prevent such deaths, in Senegal, a startup has developed a maternal health information platform. 

Doom Yaye is a digital platform developed by an eponymous Senegalese startup.  It allows new and expectant mothers access to maternal health information.  

The platform is accessible only via its web interface where its blog posts inform on every topic related to pregnant and breastfeeding women. The posts highlight the various phases of pregnancy and what expectant women can expect during those phases. They also indicate the various development phases and expectations from childbirth to the baby’s eighth birthday. 

Doom Yaye also has an online shop where users can buy baby items like clothes, shoes, books, toys, etc. It also allows parents to rent childcare and leisure items such as baby walkers, bathtubs, dishes, and high chairs. The rental period can go from 48 hours to six months and the start-up emphasizes that all rented items are disinfected.

To read maternal health information, users need no account. However, they need to register when they are moving to make purchases or rentals. In 2022, Doom Yaye won the national edition of the Orange Social Venture Prize, receiving a XOF5 million (US$7,405) check and validation for participation in the global round where it will compete with 17 other African and Middle Eastern countries. 

Adoni Conrad Quenum