“I Will Be a Mother” Chatbot Supports Pregnant Women in Accessing Free Medical Care

Anhelina welcomed her first child in January 2024. In the months prior, however, as she celebrated the upcoming arrival of her firstborn, so too did she worry about the costs she would incur by giving birth. While the soon-to-be-mother from the Dnipropetrovsk region was willing to spare no expense for her child, the “I Will Be a Mother” chatbot helped ensure that she–along with 34,000 women across Ukraine–wasn’t forced into debt to start a family.

Childbirth in Ukraine often comes at an unofficial cost. “Charity contributions” or informal payments for childbirth are a common occurrence, with hospitals privately charging an average of $1,000 for delivery despite the availability of free services. These sums represent a massive financial hurdle for thousands of hopeful Ukrainian families, many of whom, on average, earn less than half the asking price.

To dismantle financial obstacles around parenthood, the Government of Ukraine includes pregnancy and childbirth in its Medical Guarantee Program. Introduced in 2020 and operating through the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), this program helps Ukrainians access essential medical services at NHSU-partnered institutions, free of charge.

Despite the government’s concerted efforts, many families remain unaware of the free services available through the program. Worse yet, some NHSU-partnered institutions retain practices of soliciting informal payments.

To spread awareness about free services, “I Will Be a Mother” serves as an easy-to-use digital directory for resources on pregnancy and motherhood. The chatbot provides critical information on child development, essential medical exams, and no-cost maternity care available through the government’s Medical Guarantee Program.

“According to our survey of women who gave birth in 2021 and 2022, 58% had to pay for childbirth and 40% faced so-called ‘charity contributions,'” says Yuliia Ridchenko. Yuliia is the development director of the 280 Days charity fund, which together with the civic organization Liki Kontrol developed “I Will Be a Mother” for Telegram and Viber. The chatbot sources information from open data sets on payment records and contracts between healthcare providers and NHSU.

“I Will Be a Mother” began as a project for the Open Data Services Support grant competition, which was jointly organized by the USAID / UK aid-funded Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) Activity, the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, and the East Europe Foundation. The competition promotes the use of open data in anti-corruption measures, social welfare programs, and government efficiency, and in overcoming the consequences of war. Given the project’s immense potential, “I Will Be a Mother” won the grant competition, receiving UAH 1.1 million (over $29,000) for implementation in late 2022.

Thanks to the chatbot, Anhelina found a free, NHSU-affiliated maternity ward in the Dnipropetrovsk region. “My husband and I learned that they indeed offer medical services free of charge in compliance with Ukrainian legislation and the requirements for women in labor,” says Anhelina, sharing that the only expense incurred by the family was an upgrade to a more comfortable ward.

For 28-year-old Kateryna, who was internally displaced from the Luhansk region, pregnancy was especially challenging. “I Will Be a Mother” proved a vital resource. The chatbot advised Kateryna on necessary maternity exams and where to find them. It also helped interpret her test results and provided information about available state-subsidized medical consultations.

“When I gave birth to my first child [several years ago], we had to cover all expenses, including every doctor’s consultation and medication. We ended up purchasing many items, both essential and not, from the maternity hospital. Now, with everything being provided by the state, and thanks to ‘I Will Be a Mother,’ women can easily access this information,” she explains.

Presently, over 300 facilities across the country provide childbirth services at no cost, with nearly 700 collaborating with NHSU on prenatal care. These encompass all essential consultations, medical examinations, and complex procedures, such as difficult births and cesarean sections.

Innovative open data tools like the “I Will Be a Mother” chatbot are vital in communicating the impact of the Government of Ukraine’s Medical Guarantee Program, advocating for women’s right to free healthcare, and increasing transparency around government services.