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February 15, 2025
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Health

Enugu govt begins free ultrasound scanning for pregnant women

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The Enugu State Government through the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has commenced free ultrasound scanning services for pregnant women across the state.

The exercise is taking place at various primary health centers in the state.

Speaking while monitoring the exercise at Asata Heath Centre, the Executive Secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr . Ifeyinwa Ani- OSHEKU said the agency’s primary focus is on maternal and child health, with a mandate to ensure no woman dies while giving birth which aligns with the Governor Peter Mbah administration’s core areas.

According to Ani-Osheku, out of the 260 type two primary health care centers in Enugu State, 60 have been completed and equipped, and will become functional in a few weeks.

She said the introduction of new services, including obstetric scanning, is a key initiative by the agency to ensure the well-being of both the mother and baby during pregnancy.

She explains the significance of obstetric scanning during a woman’s pregnancy journey, noting its role in detecting any imminent dangers and ensuring a healthy baby.
Dr. Osheku who described the project as laudable, said the agency is partnering with a technology provider to implement the elephant tech system for ultrasound services.

She disclosed that the ultrasound scanning will be available at no cost to women in at least three or four primary health care centers across Enugu State for the one month stressing that after the first month, the services will remain available at a heavily subsidized rate, making them accessible to a larger population.
She assured that the state government will expand the availability of ultrasound services to more primary health care centers in the future.

She noted that the project is part of a broader effort to improve maternal and child health in Enugu State, aligning with the Peter Mbah administration’s goals.
She expressed the agency’s commitment to ensuring the success of the project with plans to continue providing subsidized services.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Sunday Okafor said the project provides free maternal scans for pregnant women in all primary health facilities across the state, addressing a previous gap where pregnant women had difficulties getting scans done.

According to Dr. Okafor, the initiative is a significant step in the journey of motherhood, ensuring that the story of pregnancy is complete with the maternal scan as well as well as save the lives of both mothers and babies by providing critical diagnostic services.

He emphasised the importance of ultrasound scans in confirming pregnancy and monitoring fetal development.

The NMA chairman said the initial response has been positive, with many pregnant women benefiting from the free scans and will expand to all primary health facilities across the state, ensuring that all pregnant women have access to these critical services.

The Officer-in-Charge , Asata Health Centre, Chioma Anodebe thanked the state government for providing ultrasound scanning services in the centre adding that the move will increase intake of pregnant women and appealed for provision of security to safeguard the facilities.

Mrs Gladys Destiny and Oluebube Ugwu both pregnant women and beneficiaries of the free ultrasound scanning commended the state government for the gesture which they is a huge relief for them as they pay exorbitant fees for the scanning in private facilities.

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