Kitui County has introduced 63 portable ultrasound machines across rural health facilities in an ambitious drive to reduce maternal deaths through early detection of pregnancy-related complications.
The distribution is part of the Point of Care Ultrasound Services (Pocus) program, which has been operational for a year. Local health officials report that the initiative has already contributed to a notable decline in maternal mortality rates.
The portable devices are now available in facilities that previously lacked advanced diagnostic tools. They allow healthcare workers in remote areas to assess foetal heart rate, position, amniotic fluid levels, and placenta health capabilities previously found only in high-level hospitals. This ensures that expectant mothers in even the most inaccessible parts of the county can benefit from advanced pregnancy monitoring.
Before the rollout, expectant mothers requiring ultrasound services had to travel long distances to Kitui Referral Hospital or Mwingi Level IV Hospital. Given the county’s 311 health facilities spread across a vast and often rugged terrain, many women faced delays in diagnosis and treatment. These delays often increased the risk of complications, contributing to maternal and neonatal deaths.
With the portable machines in place, healthcare workers can now make timely diagnoses and initiate urgent referrals when needed. Early detection of complications such as breech positioning, placenta previa, or low amniotic fluid levels enables quick interventions, potentially saving both mothers and infants.
The county’s public health department has also invested in training healthcare workers on how to operate the devices. This ensures accurate readings and effective use of the technology in clinical decision-making. Plans are underway to procure additional machines to expand coverage and strengthen the fight against maternal mortality.
The program is considered a game-changer for rural healthcare delivery in the region. By decentralizing access to critical diagnostic services, Kitui County is addressing one of the main barriers to safe motherhood geographic and economic inaccessibility to advanced medical care.
Health authorities envision that with continued expansion, every health facility will have access to at least one portable ultrasound machine, helping to ensure that no mother is left without life-saving diagnostic support during pregnancy.
