Health and Well-being Week
Leveraging Digital Health Solutions for MCH and the effective use of MCH Handbook
Japan International Cooperation Agency
We discuss the role and potential of digital solutions for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and the effective use of MCH Handbook. This symposium provides an opportunity for participants to find out what we can do and how we can co-create on digital solutions for MCH challenges by the government, private companies and organizations for health and well-being of women and children beyond survival.
Discussion
- Well-being
- PHR
- Others
- Maternal and Child Health
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
-
Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
-
2025.06.20[Fri]
10:30 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 10:00)
-
- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
©︎NEC Corporation
Programme details
JICA implements assistance programs in maternal and child health (MCH) in developing countries, where many mothers and children die from preventable causes. Combined with other infrastructure and medical support, JICA has promoted the use of MCH Handbook in 36 countries. The handbook helped Japan to achieve the highest standards of MCH in the world. Many countries have also started using digital solutions to provide high-quality MCH services to all mothers and children. In this program, we will hear from the governments of Bhutan and Ghana and private companies about how they applied digital solutions to improve MCH. Japan’s experiences and JICA’s experiences in various countries will be also presented. Finally, we will discuss how we can co-create a better future for children.
Reports
【Reflection】
In this program, we introduced the experiences of implementing digital solutions in the field of maternal and child health in Bhutan and Ghana, the evolution of maternal and child health in Japan and efforts towards digital transformation (DX), as well as JICA's experiences in introducing digital solutions as support for maternal and child health in developing countries. Based on these achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, we discussed how the public and private sectors can collaborate and co-create for the future. The mobile cardiotocography device "iCTG," which meets medical equipment standards while being lightweight and user-friendly, has been installed in 80 locations across Bhutan. This enabled early detection of complications and facilitating timely referral, thus safeguarding the lives of mothers and children. In Ghana, a job-aid application was developed to enhance the use of Maternal and Child Health Record Book (MCH RB). This resulted in improved recording rates of the MCH RB and increased coverage and quality of nutritional counseling. Post-war Japan rapidly improved maternal and child health indicators through initiatives like maternal and child health handbooks and health check-up programs. Although Japan relatively lags in the maternal and child health sector digital transformation, it is steadily progressing based on the Public Medical Hub (PMH) concept, which links local governments, medical institutions, and residents. Through panel discussions, it was emphasized that building trust among stakeholders is essential for sustainable development of the project, effective tools can be developed by visiting fields, listening to people, and developing solutions that directly address their needs of people. Also, the challenges can be overcome when various stakeholders such as governments, UN agencies, aid organizations, private companies, Civil Society Organization and academic institutes work together. Furthermore, it was menioned that human resource development, data interoperability, and regulations for data protection, as well as flexible responses to regulations, are also necessary in order to utilize digital devices and data. This session served as an important learning opportunity to use digital solutions for solving health problems, and it provided a platform to think about how development partners can promote collective impact.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
JICA will continue its efforts to promote health and well-being of women and children. Our goal is to ensure that all women and children to have access to high-quality continuum of care as well as their care and practices at home and in the community are adequate. To achieve this, JICA will focus on three core areas: human resources for health, health facility and equipment and engagement with women, families and community. Also, we promote the use of Maternal and Child Health Handbooks and digital solutions. Addressing maternal and child health issues in each country requires collaboration of the governments of partner countries, international organizations, private companies, CSO, and academic institutions. JICA creates platforms and spaces for collective impact, where diverse people and information come together, as seen in programs like this one. Within these platforms, we explore ways to maximize development impact through co-creation and promote its implementation.
Cast
Moderator
Maki Ozawa
Senior Director, Health Team 3, Health Group 2, Human Development Department of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Maki Ozawa is Senior Director of Health Team 3, Health Group 2, Human Development Department of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In current position since June 2022, she is responsible for health programme in ASEAN and Pacific Islands, as well as thematic focal point of child health and nutrition.
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Speakers
Dr. Akiko HAGIWARA
Senior Advisor for Health, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Dr. Akiko HAGIWARA, Senior Advisor for Health at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) since 2007, has Ph.D. in Health Promotion and is responsible for providing technical leadership and oversight for JICA's cooperation projects and programs in the health sector, particularly in the area of maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). For more than 25 years, she has led, managed and implemented JICA's flagship projects, including the development and promotion of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Handbook in Palestine and Ghana, and is currently supporting the use of MCH Handbook in Sierra Leone, Pakistan and Liberia.
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Marie Mazuka
Assistant Manager, International Cooperation Business Department, NEC Corporation
Marie MAZUKA is an Assistant Manager in International Cooperation Business Department at NEC Corporation. She joined NEC in 2019. She has been cooperating with the International Organizations and other stakeholders to solve global issues by applying digital technology. She leads the engagement with WFP (UN World Food Programme), Gavi, CEPI, FAO and IFAD to implement the projects in global health and smart agriculture sector. In Ghana with WFP, she leads the project to improve maternal and child nutrition and implement the digital health screening system to the Ghana Health Services (GHS). The project achieved the improvement of operational efficiency and knowledge and skill level of health center staffs.
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Yhuko Ogata
Melody International Ltd.
After completing my postgraduate studies in nuclear engineering at Kyoto University, I started my own business twice. I am currently working on building and commercialising a perinatal e-health platform for the safety and security of pregnant women and their babies. analyzing business impact has allowed me to grow professionally and personally. Drawing on my experience from the pioneering days of the internet and medical ICT. I realized the importance of making our technology more accessible, especially in countries where healthcare resources are limited. For instance, 140 million mothers give birth annually, yet 2 million babies die during childbirth, many in the southern hemisphere due to inadequate access to medical care. To adapt, I need to focus on expanding the reach of our platform Melody i and fetal monitor, iCTG, in these areas. It will help solve current problems and contribute to overcoming demographic challenges in areas like Japan's depopulating regions. This comprehensive understanding is vital for sustainable and meaningful progress.
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Dr. Zentaro Yamagata
Deputy Director, Think Tank for Children and Parents, National Center for Child Health and Development
Graduated from Yamanashi Medical University (now the University of Yamanashi School of Medicine) in 1986. After working as an assistant and assistant professor at the University of Yamanashi, he became a professor at the University of Yamanashi in 1999 (Department of Health Sciences (Social Medicine), Faculty of Medicine), retiring in 2024. He has been in his current position since April 2024. He specializes in public health, epidemiology, and human genetics. In particular, he has conducted life course approach research (birth cohort studies), including the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a major national project.
He has chaired national committees such as the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Children and Families Agency. He has certified by the Board Certified Physician/Supervising Physician by Board of Public Health and Social Medicine.
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Dr. Kennedy Tettey Coffie Brightson
Director, Family Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Ghana
Dr. Kennedy Tettey Coffie Brightson is an accomplished Public Health Physician Specialist and Maternal & Reproductive Health Expert with over two decades of experience in Ghana’s healthcare system. He has played a pivotal role in transforming healthcare facilities, expanding specialist services, and implementing maternal health initiatives and policies.
A graduate of Donetsk State Medical University, he holds an MPH from the University of Ghana and multiple certifications in health administration, leadership, and governance. He also holds membership from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons with sub specialization in Family and Reproductive Health. His contributions to maternal health, reproductive health policy, and hospital management have earned him national and international awards.Serving as Director of the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Brightson oversees national programs in Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition. His desire to implement innovative solutions has impacted Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
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Dr. Mongal Singh Gurung
Head, Health Information and Research, Ministry of Health, Bhutan
Dr. Mongal Singh Gurung is the Head of Health Information and Research at the Ministry of Health, Bhutan. He specializes in digital health transformation, health data analytics, and policy development. He played a key role in Bhutan’s National eHealth Strategy 2018 and now leads the National Digital Health Strategy 2025-2030 to strengthen primary healthcare and universal health coverage. His contributions include Bhutan’s adoption of DHIS2, implementation of the Electronic Patient Information System, and the country’s milestone as the first to fully adopt ICD-11. He has also contributed to assessing the impact of the iCTG project, a JICA-supported initiative for maternal health, with two rounds of assessments completed and a third planned for next year. He collaborates with global partners to advance digital health innovations.
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Health and Well-being Week
Leveraging Digital Health Solutions for MCH and the effective use of MCH Handbook
We discuss the role and potential of digital solutions for Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and the effective use of MCH Handbook. This symposium provides an opportunity for participants to find out what we can do and how we can co-create on digital solutions for MCH challenges by the government, private companies and organizations for health and well-being of women and children beyond survival.
-
2025.06.20[Fri]
10:30～12:00
(Venue Open 10:00)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
©︎NEC Corporation
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Health and Well-being Week
