The Cross River State Government has commenced the rollout of portable ultrasound services at primary health care across the state.
This comes with specialised training for frontline health workers.
The government says the move is aimed at expanding access to life-saving diagnostic care.
The 54 health workers, 3 drawn from each of the 18 local government areas of the state received the specialised training to operate portable ultrasound machines, that will be deployed to selected primary healthcare facilities across Cross River.
The State Commissioner for Health Dr. Henry Ayuk says the intervention reflects the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality maternal healthcare by combining modern diagnostic equipment with skilled manpower.
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Implemented through the World Bank-assisted IMPACT Project, the training moves from classroom sessions to practical demonstrations, where participants acquire hands-on skills in the use of portable Doppler ultrasound technology, to detect pregnancy complications early and make timely referrals.
The Director General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Vivien Mesembe, says the goal is to ensure that technology delivers better outcomes for mothers and their babies.
For many expectant mothers, particularly in rural communities, the success of this intervention will be measured not by the number of machines deployed, but by how quickly complications are detected, referrals are made and more lives are saved.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
