Portable Ultrasound for Global Maternal Health

Abstract Accepted by UN

This policy brief, with abstract accepted by the United Nations in Spring 2025, addresses the critical gap in maternal healthcare access in the Global South and refugee communities. The paper proposes portable ultrasound technology as a high-impact solution aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Problem Statement

Global maternal mortality accounts for approximately 800 deaths per day, with 95% occurring in low and middle-income countries. In the Global South, only half of healthcare facilities have the ultrasound technology needed for antenatal care. Refugee women face twice the risk of pregnancy-related deaths compared to non-migrant women.

Proposed Solution

The brief advocates for portable ultrasound devices as a transformative alternative to traditional cart-based systems. Key advantages include:

• Cost-effectiveness: Portable devices like GE's Vscan cost $10,000 compared to $250,000 for traditional systems—25 times less expensive
• Infrastructure independence: Battery-powered or solar-powered options eliminate reliance on electricity and dedicated facilities
• Accessibility: Healthcare workers can bring diagnostic capabilities directly to remote and underserved communities
• Proven effectiveness: Successful implementations in Nigeria and Tanzania refugee camps demonstrate feasibility

Policy Recommendations

The brief proposes three key recommendations for UN action:

1. Knowledge Transfer Initiative: UN-facilitated network for sharing best practices between high-resource and low-resource settings
2. Standardized Training Protocols: WHO-established clinical guidelines and quality assurance mechanisms for portable ultrasound use
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Coordination between governments and technology companies to reduce costs and improve device adaptability

Impact on SDG 5

By expanding access to prenatal ultrasound screening, this initiative directly addresses healthcare barriers that prevent women's full participation in society. Early detection of pregnancy complications through accessible ultrasound technology can prevent the majority of maternal deaths, advancing gender equality through improved health outcomes.

Research Focus Areas

• Analysis of healthcare infrastructure gaps in East and South Africa (ESA) region
• Evaluation of transportation and language barriers in refugee communities
• Cost-benefit analysis of portable vs. traditional ultrasound systems
• Case studies from GE's rural Nigeria implementation and Lugufu refugee camp in Tanzania

Note: While the abstract was accepted by the UN in Spring 2025, final publication was affected by administrative changes.