Kitui deploys portable ultrasound devices to curb maternal deaths

Christine Sammy, a senior pediatric nurse in Kitui demonstrates how portable ultrasound devices work during the ongoing 9th devolution conference in Homabay County. [Philip Muasya, Standard]

Kitui County has deployed 63 portable ultrasound devices to rural villages to assist pregnant mothers and reduce maternal deaths.

The devices, which have been in use for the last one year, are being rolled out under the Point of Care Ultrasound Services (Pocus) initiative, which has proved instrumental in curbing maternal deaths in the county.

The life-saving initiative is part of the health innovations being showcased by the county at the ongoing 9th Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County.

While demonstrating how the gadgets work, Christine Sammy, a senior pediatric nurse in Kitui noted that ultrasound services are key for all pregnant mothers to know the status of the foetus at early stages.

She said that the portable ultrasound devices had come in handy for mothers in hard-to-reach areas of the vast county with difficult terrain.

"We have seen significant reduction in maternal deaths since the deployment of the devices in village health facilities. Healthcare workers are able to detect any abnormalities early enough and do referrals, thus saving lives," the senior nurse said.

Sammy revealed that the devices help by giving accurate information on foetal heart rate, the foetal presentation in the womb (whether the baby is sitted or at normal position), the level of amniotic fluid and placenta status. These are key in determining what action to take, she said.

"The information relayed by the portable ultrasound devices is as good as the machines found in level IV hospitals. Therefore, pregnant mothers do not need to travel long distances to seek these services," Sammy said.

She noted that before the deployment of the devices, ultrasound services for pregnant mothers were only available in Kitui Referral Hospital and Mwingi Level IV Hospital, out of 311 health facilities spread across the county.

Kitui's Health Chief Officer Lynn Kitwan hailed the efficiency of the portable ultrasound gadgets, saying they had eased the process of accessing such services for pregnant mothers.

"We have witnessed reduced maternal complications and reduced maternal deaths. There is also improved skilled delivery since the majority of pregnant mothers are currently delivering in health facilities," Kitwan stated.

The chief officer noted that the county will expand the deployment of the devices to more health facilities in a bid to serve a bigger population.