Mombasa: The Centre for Public Health and Development (CPHD) has urged expectant mothers to utilise the introduction of AI-enabled Point-Of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) during pregnancies to prevent further complications upon delivery.
According to Kenya News Agency, reproductive health experts emphasize that the initiative empowers non-specialist clinicians to conduct comprehensive screenings for gestational age, foetal viability, placental location abnormalities, foetal presentation, and multiple gestations. Speaking during the 49th annual scientific congress at a Mombasa hotel, Dr. Kireki Omanwa, president of the Kenyan Obstetrical Gynaecological Society (KOGS), highlighted the unfortunate maternal mortality rate in the country, stressing the importance of quality care for mothers.
Dr. Omanwa noted that the high maternal mortality rate is due to factors such as excessive bleeding after delivery, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, sepsis infection, post-abortion complications, and obstructed labour. He advocated for the use of POCUS by specialists to identify high-risk pregnancies early and urged expectant mothers to attend at least one session during their pregnancy.
Themed ‘collaborative partnerships for maternal health: Building alliances between stakeholders to prevent maternal mortality, share best practices, and drive systemic change through innovation,’ the one-week forum brought together over 700 delegates from across the globe. Discussions focused on sensitizing the public about POCUS, educating on AI-enabled POCUS devices, and sharing experiences to integrate POCUS into routine maternity care for early screening, management, and referral.
Bernard Olayo, founder of CPHD and an advocate for Public Health, called AI-enabled POCUS a game changer, enabling clinicians to detect and manage complications on the spot. He commended the government for its support, highlighting resources such as funding to ensure accessibility across Kenya’s 47 counties.
Olayo emphasized the need for POCUS to identify women likely to experience complications, ensuring they receive appropriate care. He noted Kenya’s pioneering efforts in developing guidelines for POCUS, including its AI aspects, and pointed out the challenge of financing and integrating solutions into healthcare.
Jane Patrick, a representative from the Ministry of Health, stated that the Ministry is working with stakeholders to make POCUS accessible in underserved areas. She mentioned national guidelines and training for health providers, as well as discussions with manufacturers to ensure affordable machines reach deserving areas.
Patrick highlighted several health policies, including the National Reproductive Health Policy 2022-2032, which supports innovation and technology in maternal and newborn health. She noted that POCUS is mainstreamed in national policies and guidelines, aiming to standardize POCUS service provision across the country.