Governor Mbah,
The Enugu State Government has launched a new initiative to improve maternal healthcare by offering free ultrasound services to pregnant women at primary healthcare centers across the 17 local government areas of the state.
The initiative is designed to safeguard the health of unborn babies and reduce maternal mortality during childbirth.
Dr. Ifenyinwa Ani-Oshekun, Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, spoke at the launch of the program at Asata Health Centre.
She explained that the administration of Governor Peter Mbah is committed to providing accessible and affordable healthcare to improve the state’s economy and overall wellbeing.
The ultrasound services will be available free of charge for the first month to every pregnant woman visiting the designated health centers.
Dr. Ani-Oshekun highlighted that the program is a collaboration between the Enugu State Government, through the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Elephants Technology.
She noted that the ultrasound machines, although versatile for various medical uses, would initially focus on maternal health.
The program will start with two health centers, Asata and Abakpa, and include the presence of a dedicated radiologist on specific days to carry out the scans.
Dr. Ani-Oshekun emphasized the importance of ultrasound in maternal health, explaining that it helps monitor the development of the baby and detect potential complications.
“With ultrasound, we can track the growth of the baby according to the pregnancy stage, identify any risks, and intervene early if necessary. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring the mother’s safety during pregnancy,” she said.
She assured the public that the program would expand, with plans to reach more health centers across the state in the coming months.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to ensuring that every woman in Enugu has access to quality healthcare,” Dr. Ani-Oshekun added.
The government is also investing in the healthcare workforce, having already recruited 450 primary healthcare workers, with plans to add an additional 1,750 this year to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr. Sunny Okafor, the Enugu State Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), praised the initiative, saying it would significantly improve maternal health outcomes and reduce maternal deaths.
He added that the project is expected to expand to all primary health centers in the state and will raise awareness about the availability of free ultrasound services for pregnant women.
“This is a pilot program, and in the next month, our goal is to ensure that every pregnant mother in Enugu State is aware of and utilizing these services. It’s not just about offering free services but creating awareness and encouraging pregnant women to take advantage of them,” Dr. Okafor stated.
