By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to implement the Pathway for AI-Enabled Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PATH4AI POCUS) Project, an innovative initiative aimed at improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kano State.
The partnership was formalized following engagements between KSCHMA and the project team led by the Principal Investigator, Professor Ehigha Enabudoso of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
The PATH4AI POCUS Project seeks to strengthen the early detection of high-risk pregnancies through the deployment of Artificial Intelligence-enabled ultrasound technology at primary healthcare facilities.
The initiative is expected to enhance antenatal care services, improve referral systems, and support timely interventions for pregnancy-related complications.
Funded by the Gates Foundation, the project will be implemented from 2026 to 2028 in Kano, Gombe, and Ogun states, with technical support from partners including the Nikao Support Initiative (NSI).
As part of efforts to kick-start implementation in Kano State, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Isah Musa Isah, paid an advocacy visit to KSCHMA headquarters, where he met with the agency’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar.
During the meeting, both institutions discussed the implementation framework, expected outcomes, and areas of collaboration aimed at ensuring the successful deployment of the project across selected healthcare facilities in the state.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar described the partnership as a significant step toward strengthening maternal healthcare delivery through the use of technology and evidence-based interventions.
In a statement signed by public relations officer KSCHMA Aminu Ahmad Turaki Dr Rahila noted that the collaboration aligns with the healthcare transformation agenda of the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and supports the administration’s Kano First Agenda, which prioritizes accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services.
According to her, the adoption of AI-powered ultrasound technology at the primary healthcare level will contribute significantly to improving the early identification of pregnancy-related complications, reducing maternal and neonatal risks, and strengthening healthcare outcomes for women and children.
The Executive Secretary further emphasized the importance of partnerships between government institutions, academic bodies, and development organizations in advancing Universal Health Coverage and addressing critical healthcare challenges.
On his part, Dr. Isah Musa Isah highlighted the project’s potential to generate evidence for the nationwide scale-up of point-of-care ultrasound services, particularly in underserved communities where access to specialized maternal healthcare remains limited.
