State government rolls out 56 ultrasound machines for targeted imaging of fetal abnormalities in 40 government hospitals in Telangana
Post Date – 10:23 PM, Sat – 11/26/22
Hyderabad: In another major step in improving the government’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) healthcare facilities, the state government on Saturday rolled out 56 Targeted Imaging for Fetal Abnormalities (TIFFA) ultrasound machines at 40 government hospitals in Telangana.
The TIFFA ultrasound machine enables doctors to monitor fetal growth and detect congenital abnormalities at a very early stage so that they can initiate the correct treatment and avoid stillbirths, which in India range from 10 per 1,000 live births in urban areas to ranging from 16 per 1,000 live births to 28 per 1,000 live births. 1,000 live births in rural areas.
These new machines, which cost Rs 20 crore to purchase, will scan 20,000 pregnant women within a month. A single TIFFA scan costs between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 in private healthcare facilities.
Health Minister T Harish Rao, together with Home Minister Md Mahamood Ali and other senior health officials, remotely activated 56 TIFFA ultrasound machines at the Government Maternity Hospital in Petlaburj.
“Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao dreams that all pregnant women from economically weaker areas will have access to the same quality medical services as corporate hospitals. The TIFFA ultrasound machine aims to provide world-class treatment facilities for pregnant women,” said Harish Rao.
TIFFA scans are unique compared to conventional ultrasounds because they can detect abnormalities in the fetus very early in pregnancy, that is, in the second trimester (18 weeks to 23 weeks).
It can clearly look for defects in the baby’s heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs. The scans can tell doctors if the baby’s internal organs are developing well and functioning properly.
“It takes at least 20 minutes to complete a scan with a TIFFA ultrasound. All our gynecologists and radiologists are trained to operate these machines,” he said.
In an interview with the media, Harish Rao also highlighted the three tiers of healthcare provided to pregnant women in government hospitals. Before giving birth, pregnant women can get three ANC checks and a service of 102 Amma Vodi vehicles provides them with free transport facilities to the nearest government hospital.
To ensure proper facilities are available during childbirth, delivery rooms have been upgraded with more MCH, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and SNCU facilities added and after delivery mothers and babies can be returned home in 102 Amma Vodi vehicles, KCR Toolkit and Financial Benefits Plan.
In addition to this, infants are provided with the necessary immunizations as part of the Universal Immunization Program (UIP).
caesarean section
The state government’s efforts to curb C-sections have started to bear fruit, with Telangana recording a 7% drop in the number of C-sections in the past year.
Last October, there were 61.41% of cesarean deliveries (government and private), compared to 54.49% this October.
“We’ve made a good start and hopefully we can further reduce caesarean rates in the coming years,” Harish Rao said.
