A better outlook for mothers in Ethiopia: How Vscan Air™ is transforming maternal care in remote regions

Challenges in maternal health

“In many health centers, there are simply no ultrasound devices – or they’re stationary and can’t be moved,” explains Dr. Tesfaye Kebede, radiologist at Addis Ababa University.

“Without ultrasound, we can't determine placental location or even confirm whether a pregnancy is viable. That significantly increases risks for both mother and fetus.”
The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where pregnant women may need to travel up to 80 kilometers just to access basic ultrasound assessments. For many, this journey is simply not possible – often with tragic outcomes.

The Amref Project: Bringing diagnostics to the community

This is where the Amref Health Africa project comes in. In several Ethiopian regions, portable Vscan Air handheld ultrasound devices have been introduced, bringing essential diagnostics closer to the women who need them.

“Ultrasound was only available at the central hospital before. Most women couldn’t make the trip,” says Desalegn Dawit, Head of the Dimtu Primary Health Care Unit. “The lack of ultrasound led to many stillbirths. Now we can take action earlier.”

Wuletaw Wolde, a midwife at the same facility, adds: “Women used to make great sacrifices just to access an ultrasound. Now we can detect and manage risks right here. That can save lives.”

Vscan Air by GE HealthCare – Portable, powerful, life-saving

The investment in Vscan Air has proven effective: the device is compact, wireless, battery-operated, and features a dual probe for versatile use – ideal for obstetric and other clinical applications. According to Dr. Kebede, this portability is key: “You can literally put it in your pocket, connect it to a smartphone, and use it anywhere – in a clinic, on the ward, or even out in the field.”

Especially in remote settings, early pregnancy scans can confirm viability, detect multiple pregnancies or fetal abnormalities, and assess placental positioning – without requiring the patient to travel long distances.


In this educational video, Dr. Kebede demonstrates to healthcare professionals in Ethiopia how to use Vscan Air and highlights its practical applications:

Better care, greater confidence

The voices of local mothers make the impact clear.

“I saw my baby for the first time – with my own eyes,” says Buzunesh Belete, an expectant mother. “Before, I could only imagine what it looked like. Now I saw its legs, head, hands – everything. I’m so happy.”

Mihiret Ermias adds: “Traveling to hospitals used to be expensive and dangerous. Now it’s easy.”



Demisse Gebremariam, Amref Health Africa cluster coordinator, summarizes the impact: “With Vscan Air, we were able to detect complications early and save lives – of both mothers and babies. It saves time, money, and lives. This project is a real success.”

Conclusion

The introduction of Vscan Air shows how mobile medical technology, combined with local engagement, can create real improvements – even in the most challenging environments. In Ethiopia, it has brought dignity, safety, and peace of mind to maternal care.

For healthcare professionals, the device offers a lightweight, wireless, dual-probe design that supports a wide range of clinical applications – from obstetrics and cardiac imaging to guided procedures. It’s easy to use, requires no complex setup, and can connect seamlessly to a smartphone or tablet. In remote areas, this mobility makes it possible to scan patients directly at the bedside or even at home.

And for the patients, the benefits are equally profound: improved access to timely diagnostics, lower travel costs, and the reassurance of early and accurate insights during every stage of pregnancy. Vscan Air is more than just a tool – it’s a gateway to safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes for mothers and their babies.

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