The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has partnered with University of Benin to implement the Pathway for AI-Enabled Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PATH4AI POCUS) Project, an initiative aimed at improving maternal and newborn healthcare services in Kano State.
The partnership was formalised following engagements between KSCHMA and the project team led by Professor Ehigha Enabudoso of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
The project seeks to improve the early detection of high-risk pregnancies through the deployment of Artificial Intelligence-powered ultrasound technology at primary healthcare facilities. It is expected to strengthen antenatal care services, enhance referral systems and support timely interventions for pregnancy-related complications.
Funded by the Gates Foundation, the project will be implemented between 2026 and 2028 in Kano, Gombe State and Ogun State, with technical support from the Nikao Support Initiative.
As part of preparations for implementation in Kano, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Isah Musa Isah, paid an advocacy visit to the KSCHMA headquarters, where he met with the agency’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar.
During the meeting, both institutions reviewed the implementation framework, expected outcomes and areas of collaboration to ensure the successful deployment of the project across selected healthcare facilities in the state.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Muktar described the partnership as a major step toward strengthening maternal healthcare delivery through technology-driven and evidence-based interventions.
She said the collaboration aligns with the healthcare transformation agenda of the Kano State Government under the leadership of Abba Kabir Yusuf and supports the administration’s Kano First Agenda, which prioritises accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services.
According to her, the adoption of AI-powered ultrasound technology at the primary healthcare level will improve the early identification of pregnancy-related complications, reduce maternal and neonatal risks and strengthen health outcomes for women and children.
She also stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, academic bodies and development partners in advancing universal health coverage and addressing critical healthcare challenges.
Dr. Isah, on his part, said the project would generate evidence to support the nationwide expansion of point-of-care ultrasound services, particularly in underserved communities where access to specialised maternal healthcare remains limited.
