Telecel Ghana Foundation has extended its Rural Ultrasound Scan programme to Chantai, an island community in the Krachi West Municipality of the Oti Region. The outreach provided free antenatal ultrasound scans and maternal healthcare support to 151 pregnant women, as part of efforts to improve access to life-saving maternal services in some of Ghana’s hardest-to-reach communities.

The initiative, forms part of the Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Connected Health programme, which is helping reduce maternal and infant mortality by taking ultrasound screening, antenatal education and early referrals directly to underserved rural communities.

Medical officers identified expectant mothers with possible pregnancy complications and referred them to the nearest health facilities for further monitoring and specialised care. Health professionals also provided nutrition education, debunked harmful cultural myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, and distributed baby care items to support mothers ahead of delivery.

Healthcare workers say the challenges faced by expectant mothers in the municipality extend beyond medical care. Nutrition Officer at the Krachi Municipal Health Directorate, Ernest Sarkodie Owusu, said “Many pregnant women in the district face financial challenges during pregnancy and are often unable to afford essential baby items ahead of delivery. Through the Telecel Ghana Foundation’s support, these women have received much-needed baby care items, which will go a long way in supporting them during childbirth and beyond.”

Since its launch, Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Rural Ultrasound Scan programme has reached hundreds of expectant mothers across Ghana, enabling healthcare workers to detect high-risk pregnancies early and improve maternal health outcomes in areas where specialist services remain scarce.

“Pregnant women in our community often have to travel long distances to access maternal healthcare, especially ultrasound scan services. Thanks to the Telecel Ghana Foundation, these services have been brought closer to us. We are truly grateful for this support and the opportunity to access free ultrasound scans,” said Martha Doku, an expecting mother from the community.

Head of Foundation, Sustainability and External Communications at Telecel Ghana, Rita Rockson, said the initiative is focused on bringing healthcare closer to underserved communities to help expectant mothers.

“Our commitment is to ensure that expectant mothers, wherever they live, have access to the services they need for a safe pregnancy and delivery. Through our Rural Ultrasound Scan programme, we are taking essential maternal healthcare directly to communities that are often beyond the reach of maternal health services, ensuring expectant mothers receive early diagnosis, timely referrals and the confidence that comes with knowing their pregnancies are progressing safely,” Ms. Rockson said.

As an island community surrounded by water, geography continues to shape health outcomes in Chantai. Residents said limited electricity, transportation constraints and the absence of specialised maternal services often delay critical antenatal care.

Vincent Hoya, Chantai’s community leadership representative, said the initiative has been of immense benefit to pregnant women in the community. “As an island community, we face challenges with electricity and access to healthcare, forcing many expectant mothers to travel long distances to Krachi for maternal services. Bringing free ultrasound screening closer to them has made a significant difference.”