Fatshimetrie is a technology that is revolutionizing maternal health in remote villages in Kenya, offering renewed hope to marginalized populations. Portable ultrasound devices enable early identification of pregnancy complications, improving the health of mothers and babies.
In remote areas of Kenya, access to health facilities is a major challenge for many pregnant women, such as Namunyak Tajiri, a mother of nine living in a remote village in Namanga. Thanks to the antenatal services provided by portable ultrasound devices, she can now look forward to her twin pregnancy with optimism, unlike her previous pregnancies marked by complications and the loss of a baby.
Launched in November 2020, UNFPA’s mobile ultrasound program has trained many midwives and screened over 2,500 women in Kajiado, Migori, Homabay and Kisii counties. These devices, provided free of charge, enable midwives to detect pregnancy complications early, significantly reducing the risk of maternal and infant deaths.
Dorothy Kwamboka, a nurse at Namanga Health Centre, highlights the challenges rural women face in accessing healthcare, including transportation and financial constraints. The portable ultrasound devices provide essential medical assistance, particularly in areas where access to healthcare is limited and cultural attitudes may discourage pregnant women from attending hospitals for antenatal care.
The introduction of this portable technology has significantly improved midwifery services, allowing health workers to reach remote areas and provide essential care to women far from medical facilities. Midwives stress the importance of ultrasound scans and the benefits of early planning to prevent complications.
Pilar Molina, Sexual and Reproductive Health Specialist and UNFPA Deputy Representative for Kenya, highlights that Africa is struggling to meet maternal mortality reduction targets, citing teenage pregnancy and early marriage as critical issues. The use of portable ultrasound technology is a major step forward, enabling early detection of complications in high-risk pregnancies and facilitating timely referrals and appropriate care.
By educating women, men and children on the importance of antenatal care, communities can improve maternal and child health outcomes. In Kenya, 355 women die from pregnancy-related causes for every 100,000 live births, resulting in approximately 5,000 maternal deaths each year. Thanks to portable ultrasound devices, an important step has been taken to reduce these alarming figures and offer a healthier future to pregnant women.