Vodafone Ghana Foundation’s (VGF) Rural Ultrasound Scan programme has been lauded as a timely intervention which is saving the lives of pregnant women in rural areas.
In rural communities across Ghana, expectant mothers struggle to access affordable and convenient prenatal care, increasing the risk of maternal and newborndeaths.
Dora Manwuro, a 29-year-old mother of three, atAmanase, a remote village in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region, who commended the Foundation for its good work said she had been paying GH₵30 for every ultrasound scan during her pregnancy and had to travel to Suhum or Asuboi for the service.
She, however, stated that the initiative by the VGF had been changing the game since 2015 adding that “I became intrigued when I heard through our community’s information centre that the programme would provide free ultrasound scan services for pregnant women in the community, and I decided to take part.”
“When I got to the health centre, I was registered and given a sheet and number. The midwives gave education on the four-star diets. I was then ushered into the scan room, where I had my scan done. I saw my baby, and the report was given to me. We were also given snacks.”
She however, stated that just minutes after receiving her scan, she began experiencing cramps in her abdomen.
“The midwives who were present quickly assessed me and realised that my labour had started. They rushed me to the ward where, shortly after, I gave birth to a bouncing baby boy,” she said.
“It was like a miracle to me. If not for the scan programme, I would have had to pay for transportation to the clinic, and I may have arrived late because my husband was not around,” she added.
Ms Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Ghana, emphasised the importance of partnerships in accelerating access to digital healthcare in Ghana, saying, “We believe that no woman should die during childbirth, and we are committed to leveraging technology to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in Ghana.”
To date, she said the programme which is provided free of charge had helped provide free ultrasound scans to over 20,000 pregnant women.
BY TIMES REPORTER
