In many low- and middle-income countries, the potential of data to drive better healthcare outcomes often goes untapped. This is where PULSE comes in. PULSE is a comprehensive suite of dashboards that offers hospitals and governments across Kenya granular, real-time data to inform targeted improvements to services and more equitable resource allocation. The platform uses simple data visualizations (informed by behavioral insights from county and facility stakeholders) to identify challenges in government health systems – from skills gaps among frontline nurses to patient-reported data on respectful maternity care and uptake of essential services across the continuum of care.
Dominic Omollo is the Reproductive Health Services Coordinator in Bondo Sub-county. He shared how the dashboards have helped bridge the often-invisible gaps in healthcare delivery, improved accountability among frontline nurses, and empowered providers and health management teams to make better, more informed decisions.
“The dashboard has transformed our approach to healthcare service delivery. We can now track data down to specific facilities, identify anomalies, and act quickly to resolve them.” For example, the dashboard flagged unusually high perinatal death rates at one facility. Dominic discovered that the issue stemmed from incorrect data reporting and gaps in knowledge about documentation. “Based on what we saw, we were able to quickly set up targeted training to address these issues, and the results were immediate—better documentation and improved health outcomes.”
Beyond addressing technical issues, the dashboard enables healthcare teams to respond effectively to community feedback. “When moms’ complaints about long wait times in the lab were flagged, we used the data to communicate with staff and organize community dialogues,” Dominic said. “Now, clients know how long they’ll wait, and complaints have significantly decreased. It’s a simple change, but it has built trust.”
Engagement with mothers plays a key role in driving improvements by addressing both complaints about care and the common misconceptions that shape health-seeking behavior. “Through the dashboard, we identify specific areas of concern and organize community dialogues with expecting mothers based on the dashboard’s feedback. This has helped dispel myths about family planning and address misunderstandings between healthcare providers and clients. The changes are evident—the same complaints we used to see have disappeared.” By incorporating feedback from mothers on PULSE, Bondo Sub-county has adjusted processes, such as extending service hours, leading to more satisfied clients and improved perceptions of care.
Jacaranda’s MENTORS program, which equips frontline health workers with EmONC skills and knowledge, complements the dashboard’s capabilities by empowering facilities to offer targeted training (via drills and CMEs) to address the major issues driving poor outcomes. “We focus on critical skills like managing postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal resuscitation based on the trends and insights identified in the dashboard data across facilities. With both MENTORS and PULSE, we’ve seen a reduction in maternal and perinatal deaths this year.”
The PULSE dashboard is an example of how technology and human-centered approaches can drive sustainable change in healthcare systems. By delivering real-time data and advanced analytics, it equips government leaders with actionable insights that optimize healthcare delivery, improve resource allocation, and support the implementation policies that enhance patient care. Across 15 counties in Kenya, healthcare workers are empowered with this data, enabling evidence-based decision-making, and fostering accountability, ultimately improving the quality of care and driving lasting impact in maternal and newborn health.
