Obstetrics
A Swiss-based Foundation SmW-SONO for Africa has partnered with local institutions in Meru County to offer basic training to healthcare professionals to impact basic obstetrics sonography skills to offer basic point-of-care services.
The local collaborators include the Meru County Government, Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH), Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Kenya Methodist University (KeMU).
According to MeTRH’s board Chairman Prof. Jotham Micheni, the training is in line with Kenya’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adhering to the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in enhancing healthcare accessibility and reducing maternal mortality, which is foundational to the national aspirations.
He said the maternal health initiatives at MeTRH represented a direct response to these objectives, aiming to leverage on advanced medical training to improve health outcomes.
“The partnership initiated with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2020, was aimed at addressing the skills shortage in obstetric sonography in Meru County but the course has since been rolled out to other counties,” said Prof. Micheni adding that the capacity building was crucial to improving maternal health services in Kenya.
According to Foundation SmW- SONO for Africa President Dr Walter Gysel, the course content is developed under their guidance, endorsed and supported by the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the Swiss Society for Ultrasound in Medicine.
He added that the course comprised oftwo modules focusing on basic obstetrical sonography and pregnancy screening. Each course module spans four days and includes theoretical instruction and practical sessions. Collaboration Coordinator Prof. Japhet Magambo said the pioneering group of 25 trainees participated in the pilot training for free in 2022, with costs such as travel, accommodation, and meals supported by SmW and partially by Meru County Government.
“The course has since expanded to other counties in Kenya, and discussions are underway to establish a Centre of Excellence in Sonography at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital,” he said. “This initiative is not only aimed to fill the critical skills gap but also enhance the overall quality of healthcare delivery in the County and the Country in general,” said Prof. Magambo.
He said since the commencement of the short courses in 2022, a total of 134 healthcare professionals have received training. The ongoing courses comprise 50 healthcare professionals drawn from sixteen16 counties.
From Right Sitting: Collaborations coordinator Professor Jpahhher Magambo, MeTRH Board Chair Professor Jotham Micheni (3rd) during a group photo with partners and participants in the 2024 course training. Photos by Dickson Mwiti.
The counties include Nairobi (14), Meru (six), Makueni and Kiambu (five each), Embu (three), Nyeri, Muranga and Kilifi (two each), with Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Mandera, Wajir and Kwale (one each). Prof. Micheni added that the 2024 courses are quite significant having attracted the highest calibre of healthcare professionals with 35 out of 50 participants being Medical Doctors (Obstetricians/Gynaecologists).
“The training has significantly bolstered local healthcare capacity by providing advanced sonographic skills to professionals, directly contributing to the reduction of maternal mortality rates. With each module, at least 200 mothers receive free essential ultrasound scans and interventions, projecting a total of 1,300 mothers benefiting by the end of 2024,” said Prof. Micheni.
“Following the successful rolling out of the programme to other counties, we further look forward to the possibility of expanding the programme to incorporate advanced technologies and training methods, ensuring alignment with global standards and further enhancing the quality of maternal healthcare,” he noted.
He said the training programme was expected to significantly continue to improve the availability and quality of obstetrics ultrasonography services not only in Meru County but country-wide, directly contributing to the reduction of maternal mortality as targeted by Vision 2030.
Further, he added, it supports the BETA agenda by improving health outcomes, reducing economic burden and promoting accessibility and equity of healthcare services across Kenya. “The success of this initiative serves as a model that could be replicated throughout the country, potentially leading to nationwide improvements in maternal and child health.”
“It is envisaged that through the support of the County Government of Meru and continued collaborative efforts of all partners, soon MeTRH will pride herself as a Centre of Excellence in Sonography,” said Prof. Micheni. He said the course is open to all healthcare professionals including obstetricians, medical officers, radiographers, clinical officers and nurses with registration for 2025 ongoing.
A course consisting of 25 participants is set to run in two modules of four days each with Cohort 1: module 1 set for (March 18-21, 2025) and Module II (September 23-26, 2025). Cohort 2: module 1 is set for March 24-27 while Module II is set for September 29-October 2, with training taking place at the MeTRH conference room, new ward block.