The Bauchi State Government has distributed 20 advanced 4D ultrasound machines and 73 life-saving anti-shock garments to hospitals across the state to help make childbirth safer.
The medical equipment was officially commissioned on Tuesday to tackle maternal and infant deaths.
The 20 ultrasound machines, which cost ₦750 million, will be distributed to 20 general hospitals to provide free prenatal scans to expectant mothers. According to the state government, about 300,000 women are targeted to benefit from these free diagnostic services over the next three months.
At the same time, the state is sending 73 anti-shock garments, worth ₦25 million, to major primary healthcare centres. These reusable garments are crucial medical tool that helps control the blood flow, if a woman starts bleeding heavily after giving birth, it keeps her stable and prevents her from going into shock while she is moved to a bigger hospital for emergency treatment.
The initiative is backed by the World Bank’s IMPACT project, a project funding free antenatal care and delivery kits across 212 healthcare centres in Bauchi.
“Because it is 4D, once you are doing the scanning, you will be able to turn any organ that you are looking at 360 degrees to be able to look at all the different sides,” Dr. Adamu Muhammad, the Project Manager for the World Bank-backed project.
Dr. Muhammad, the Project Manager for the World Bank-backed project, stated that the 360-degree view gives doctors a much more accurate diagnosis compared to standard flat scans. The machines are also equipped to perform echocardiography and Doppler examinations.
The government has officially absorbed 1,678 skilled birth attendants into the civil service to rural facilities to address chronic staff shortages.
Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau, who also chairs the State Task Force on Primary Health Care, stated that the new hires and equipment will close a major gap in rural healthcare and build a safety net for pregnant women across the state.
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