Fatshimetrie – Portable Ultrasounds Revolutionizing Maternal Health in Remote Kenyan Villages
In the heart of remote Kenyan villages, a silent revolution is underway: the use of portable ultrasounds is radically changing the landscape of maternal health. These portable devices offer the possibility of identifying pregnancy complications earlier, which is a major breakthrough for the health of mothers and children, bringing new hope to marginalized populations.
Namunyak Tajiri, a 37-year-old mother of nine living in a remote village in Namanga, faces challenges in accessing health facilities. Pregnant with twins, she now feels more optimistic than ever thanks to the antenatal services provided by portable ultrasounds. Her previous pregnancies were fraught with challenges, and her third ended in the misfortune of losing one of her twins.
Launched in November 2020, UNFPA’s mobile ultrasound programme has trained many midwives and screened more than 2,500 women in Kajiado, Migori, Homabay and Kisii counties. The devices are provided free of charge, helping midwives to detect pregnancy complications early and significantly reduce the risk of maternal and infant deaths.
Dorothy Kwamboka, a nurse at Namanga Health Centre, laments: “We have women who come from very far away, so transportation is a real problem. It forces us to travel with the portable device, although sometimes, if you have a lot of mothers, because of electrical problems, you can’t do a lot (of scans). And then there are financial constraints again, some say they can’t afford it.”
Portable ultrasound technology provides critical medical support, particularly in areas where access to healthcare is limited and cultural attitudes can discourage pregnant women from visiting hospitals for antenatal appointments.
Kwamboka highlights the critical role of community health volunteers in changing perceptions of pregnant women. With its portable design, the device has significantly improved midwifery services, allowing midwives to reach remote areas and provide essential care to women living far from health facilities.
They stress the importance of ultrasound scans and the benefits of early planning to prevent complications. According to Pilar Molina, a sexual and reproductive health specialist and UNFPA Deputy Representative in Kenya, Africa is struggling to meet maternal mortality reduction targets for several reasons, including teenage pregnancies and early marriages..
The introduction of new technologies can be very beneficial, as it helps detect potential complications in high-risk pregnancies, ensure early referrals and the necessary level of care.
An ultrasound scan costs Ksh 500 ($3) for patients, the same as in public hospitals, while private hospitals charge around Ksh 1,500. The facility is able to perform up to three ultrasound scans per day when properly staffed.
Pregnant women are provided with information on the position of the baby and placenta, making it easier to choose between a normal delivery and a caesarean section. In addition, caregivers can spot problems such as breech presentations early and identify the sex of the baby.
Continued awareness among women, men and children on the importance of antenatal care improves maternal and child health outcomes in these communities.
UNFPA reports that in Kenya, 355 women die from pregnancy-related causes for every 100,000 live births, resulting in the deaths of approximately 5,000 women and girls each year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.
The introduction of these portable ultrasound scanners represents a critical advancement for maternal health in remote areas of Kenya, providing early access to care and saving lives. This revolutionary technology paves the way for better care for pregnant women and helps reduce inequalities in maternal health.