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Remote Ultrasound Capacity Building for
Antenatal Access (RUAA)
Project Overview
Duration: July 1, 2020 - August 15, 2022 (Phases I & II)
Geographical Coverage: Oromia Region and North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia
Funding Partners: Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Blossom Foundation, Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT).
Total Project Budget: $268,211 CAD
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); 5 (Gender Equality); 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure); 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Ultimate Goal & Vision
The RUAA project improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes in rural Ethiopia by increasing access to antenatal care (ANC) services, including ultrasound imaging and specialist consultations. Through telemedicine and capacity building, RUAA strengthened frontline health workers' ability to deliver quality maternal care at the community level, reducing the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.
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Objectives:
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Increase utilization of ANC services with ultrasound for 60% of pregnant women in remote areas.
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Reduce obstetric complications to 5% in project health facilities.
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Train and improve the capacity of 90% of frontline health workers to perform ultrasound imaging.
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Increase awareness and access to locally available ANC services for women of reproductive age.
Why It Matters
In rural Ethiopia, limited access to antenatal care (ANC) and ultrasound services puts pregnant women at risk, with fewer than 10% accessing care in their first trimester and most receiving three or fewer check-ups. Long distances, high costs, and a shortage of specialists make timely diagnosis of complications difficult, while cultural norms often restrict women’s healthcare decisions.
RUAA bridged this gap by using telemedicine and portable ultrasound technology to bring life-saving ANC services closer to communities. By training local health workers, improving early detection, and increasing awareness, the project empowered women, engaged men in maternal health, and reduced preventable complications, proving that innovative, localized solutions can transform maternal and neonatal health.
Key Impact & Achievements
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Improved Maternal and Child Health
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4,993 pregnant women received ultrasound-assisted ANC.
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Obstetric complications reduced from 20% to 6% through early detection and intervention.
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108 high-risk pregnancies referred for specialized care, preventing maternal and neonatal complications.
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Case Study: A 28-year-old woman diagnosed with anencephaly at 28 weeks was referred and received life-saving medical intervention at Fitche Teaching Hospital.
02
Healthcare Worker Capacity Strengthened
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14 healthcare workers trained (8 female, 6 male) in ultrasound imaging, telemedicine, and risk assessment.
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Trained health professionals demonstrated competency and independence in performing ultrasound assessments.
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Obstetricians at Fitche Hospital and Addis Ababa provided remote specialist consultations.
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Community Awareness & Male Engagement Increased
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8 education campaigns reached over 800 women and men, increasing ANC and ultrasound service uptake.
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Mass media outreach (radio & TV) reached 500,000 people, raising awareness of ultrasound availability.
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Male participation in ANC visits increased, leading to higher maternal healthcare engagement.
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Sustainable Infrastructure & Policy Influence
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Fiber-optic internet installed at Fitche Hospital to enhance telemedicine consultations.
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Local health authorities committed to integrating tele-ultrasound services into regular maternal care programs.
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University-led research conducted to assess RUAA’s impact and explore scalability in other low-resource settings.
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Research Publication: RUAA pilot results were published, providing evidence for potential national expansion. Articles: Jemal et al., 2022; Terefe et al., 2024.
Stories of Change
Early Detection Prevents Birth Complications
Danielle (name changed), one of the first women to receive a portable ultrasound examination under the RUAA project, was referred to Fitche Hospital after her scan revealed a fetal malpresentation (breech position). Without this early diagnosis, a normal delivery would have posed serious risks to both mother and baby. Thanks to the timely referral, Danielle underwent a cesarean section (CS) and safely delivered her baby.​
"There was no such ultrasound service for pregnant women in Hambiso before. Now, we are benefiting from free ultrasound services at the health center. I delivered safely at Fitche Hospital after my referral, and both my baby and I are in good health."
Increased Male Support for Maternal HEalth
RUAA’s awareness campaigns reached over 500,000 people through radio, TV, and community sessions, encouraging male involvement in antenatal care. This was evident in the increased number of men accompanying their wives to ANC visits.​
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A father in Hambiso shared his experience:
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"I heard on the radio that ultrasound was now available at the health center. Before, we didn’t think it was necessary. Now, I go with my wife for check-ups, and we know the baby is growing well. This is important for our family."
This shift in perception highlights RUAA’s role in breaking cultural barriers and promoting shared responsibility for maternal health.
Join Us in Creating Lasting Impact
Building on the success and lessons learned from RUAA and ESWA, CPAR has launched a new maternal health project in Tanzania (2024–2027). This initiative will expand tele-ultrasound technology and local capacity building, ensuring early detection of pregnancy complications and improved maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
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Your support can help scale these innovations and ensure more women in remote communities have access to quality antenatal care.
Donate today to be part of the change!
Media & Resources
Published Articles:​
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Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare (2022): Implementation and evaluation of a pilot antenatal ultrasound imaging programme using tele-ultrasound in Ethiopia
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Journal of Telemedicine and e-Health (2024): Advancing Antenatal Care in Ethiopia: The Impact of Tele-Ultrasound on Antenatal Ultrasound Access in Rural Ethiopia
Videos