Imaging the World Africa saving lives through ultrasound scans

By Peter Ochieng

Pregnant mothers in remote parts of Kenya stand a high chance of living to handle their bundles of joy, whenever the ultrasound sound scan technology is applied at various stages of pregnancy.

According to Kristen DeStiger, founder, Imaging the World World Africa (ITWAK), ultrasound scans are key in the life of a pregnant mother, since the technology aids in early diagnosis of what may turn out to be a problematic pregnancy.

"This helps in taking pregnant mothers to a higher level of health facility when need be, thus saving lives," said DeStiger.

Addressing the press in Kisumu on Monday, the ITWAK founder who is a Proffessor and specialist in ultrasound in US said her organisation focusses on donating portable ultrasound machines to resource limited facilities, especially in rural areas.

After donation, she said they conduct capacity building sessions through training nurses and midwives to do basic scanning and telemedicine.

"Basic scanning entails looking for things that gonna kill the mother and the baby," she said.

The burden to start donating ultrasound machines to rural health facilities in Kenya started in the 1980's while researching on parasites in Turkana.

They had an ultrasound machine, with women lining up to get scanned. Then came a lady who was carrying twins.

She had been in labour for four days, and the scan revealed that they were coming out with legs first.

DeStiger said the only way out for the pregnant woman was a cesarean section.

But she had to travel for 14 hours so as to reach Nairobi for operation to be carried out. She never made it.

The Kenyan radiographers she was working with at the time, charged her with the responsibility of donating ultrasound machines to remote health facilities in the country.

Years later, through the Imaging the World Africa, she started fulfilling that role in Uganda, then Malawi and now they are in Kenya, starting off with health facilities in Masaai Mara.

Elizabeth Akinyi Oduor, ITWAK - Kenya Program manager said they plan to launch their activities in Western Kenya in 2024, so as to help save lives of pregnant mothers and their unborn children.

"Recently we donated portable ultrasound machines in Masaai Mara and they are doing a great work," she said.

The machines are not only portable, but can be charged by solar with the battery lasting somewhere between 6-8 hours.