The International Child Development Program (ICDP) Ghana has launched the SafeStart Program in Kitase, located in the Akwapim South Municipality.
This initiative, in partnership with Ultrasound Consulting International (UCI) USA and Ghana Health Services, aims to improve healthcare access and reduce preventable maternal deaths in Ghana by utilizing diagnostic medical sonography.
The SafeStart program has been designed to enhance maternal health and address various conditions, ultimately contributing to Ghana’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3. The introduction of Portable Ultrasound Machines in rural communities marks a pivotal step in improving healthcare services for pregnant women in Ghana.
During the unveiling of the Ultrasound Equipment, Madam Emily Amponsah, the Municipal Director of Ghana Health Services, expressed gratitude to Ultrasound Consulting LLC for the donation of a portable ultrasound machine. She highlighted the significance of this gesture beyond just providing medical equipment but as a symbol of hope, empowerment, and the promise of healthier futures for rural mothers and their unborn children.
Country Director of ICDP Ghana, Madam Joyce Larnyoh, emphasized the commitment to the well-being and dignity of every mother and child through the acquisition of the Portable Ultrasound machine. She further highlighted the importance of pregnant mothers having access to ultrasound scans throughout their pregnancies to ensure proper management and diagnosis of potential complications.
The community members present at the event expressed their joy at having access to such essential medical equipment at reduced rates within their communities, sparing them the inconvenience of traveling to district hospitals for similar services. The SafeStart program, currently piloted in the Akwapim-South Municipality, is set to be extended to all regions in Ghana over the next five years.
This initiative signifies a crucial step towards improving maternal healthcare in Ghana and addressing the needs of pregnant women in rural communities.
The deployment of Portable Ultrasound Machines will not only save lives but also contribute to healthier outcomes for mothers and their unborn children across the country.
