The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that every pregnant woman receive at least two ultrasounds: one before 12 weeks to confirm pregnancy and another after 28 weeks to detect any conditions requiring follow-up care.
In Ghana’s Adaklu Distric, home to more than 86,000 residents, most of whom rely on smallholder farming, animal rearing, and hunting, access to such essential services is limited. With 18 health facilities serving the district and a birth rate of 39.7%, only one facility offers ultrasound services. This lack of access makes it difficult for many women to receive comprehensive prenatal care.
Expanding Access to Ultrasound Care
To address this gap, the Give Right Foundation, in partnership with Friends of Adaklu, organized an obstetric ultrasound training in January 2024 at the EP Mimi Health Center. Seven midwives and five nurses received hands-on training in key areas, including:
- Determining number of gestations and fetal viability
- Detecting placenta previa (a potentially life-threatening condition)
- Estimating delivery dates
- Identifying fetal orientation and gender
As part of this effort, the Give Right Foundation donated a Butterfly handheld ultrasound device, a portable tool that enables frontline health workers to provide scans directly in their communities.
For the first time, women in Adaklu experienced complete prenatal care locally. They saw their baby’s image, learned the due date, and confirmed the baby’s health and gender, an experience that brought immense joy to expectant mothers and families. Most importantly, trained midwives are now able to identify dangerous conditions like placenta previa early enough to save both mother and child through timely intervention.
Building Capacity for Long-Term Impact
To ensure high-quality care:
- Dr. Wilson Agbavor, a gynecologist at Fountain Medical Services in Ghana is supporting scan interpretations.
- Swallah Alhaji Suraka, Consultant Sonographer and Lecturer at the University of Health and Allied Sciences, is mentoring local health workers.
- Friends of Adaklu, led by Country Director Madam Stella Kudah, is working with the Give Right Foundation to expand access to ultrasound services across the district.
The Butterfly device has already proven to be a game-changer, and communities are hopeful that its use will be scaled to other facilities in the Adaklu District.
Upcoming Site Visit: January 5–9, 2026
The Give Right Foundation, in collaboration with Dr. David Tomlinson (Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, Brown University), will conduct a site visit to Ghana with the following objectives:
- Assess community attitudes, service gaps, and cost structures related to Butterfly Ultrasound use
- Donate at least four Butterfly ultrasound devices to additional health centers in Adaklu and Kpetoe Ziope Districts
- Meet with local health officials to discuss current challenges in global health
- Explore pilot opportunities for Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) training and device implementation
Dr. Tomlinson brings decades of global health experience, having consulted for the WHO, NIH, and the Gates Foundation, and trained clinicians across Africa. He also serves as a staff physician at South County Hospital and was honored as Physician of the Year by the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2015.
Estimated Budget for Site Visit & Program Planning
- 4 Butterfly iQ+ devices ($2,699 each): $10,796
- Accessories: $500
- International travel & lodging (2 people): $5,500
- Local transportation & field visits: $3,300
Total Goal: $20,096
Help Us Make a Difference
Our fundraiser aims to:
- Purchase at least four Butterfly ultrasound devices for health centers in Adaklu and Kpetoe Ziope Districts, ensuring pregnant women can access sonography services without traveling outside their communities.
- Integrate EIMC into routine maternal and child health care, giving families the option during postnatal or immunization visits, while also contributing to the long-term prevention of HIV infections.
All funds will go directly to the Give Right Foundation, which will purchase devices and accessories from Butterfly Network (California, USA), a partner that provides lifetime software access for each device.
Your support matters. Every contribution brings us closer to building healthier futures for mothers, children, and communities in Ghana.
📍 Learn more: www.giverightfoundation.org
📧 Contact us: we@giverightfoundation.org
❤️ Donate today and be part of the change.