The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least one ultrasound scan before 24 weeks of gestation (early ultrasound) to confirm fetal viability, identify the position of the gestational sac, determine gestational age, estimate the number of fetuses, and measure chorionicity and amnionicity in the case of a multiple pregnancy. Also, ultrasound assessment of the fetus in the first trimester is considered the most accurate method to establish or confirm gestational age. However, availability of ultrasound services at antenatal care clinics (ANC) remains a challenge especially in rural and township areas. Midwife obstetric units (MOU) are usually the only place that women can get an ultrasound scan in the public health sector. These MOUs do not have enough capacity to render this essential service to all pregnant women resulting in many women failing to have a single ultrasound scan during pregnancy. Also, the CHAMPS findings showed that most newborn and under-5 deaths could have been prevented if mothers had better access to good quality ANC services including ultrasound scanning in early pregnancy. As such, Wits VIDA, CHAMPS site in South Africa, in collaboration with the ministry of health (MoH) saw a need to improve access to ultrasound services by providing an ultrasound machine and a sonographer at Chiawelo, Lillian Ngoyi, Mofolo, Itireleng and Zola Midwife Obstetric Units (MOUs).

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Case study_CHAMPS_CHAMPIONS_ULTRASOUND SCAN_SA_VFinal