A mother in Ethiopia receives her first ultrasound, a critical step toward better maternal health. (Credit: JSI Ethiopia)
More than 75% of Ethiopia’s population lives in rural, hard-to-reach areas. These communities often face challenges such as power outages and lack of medical equipment, which limit access to quality health care.
For over 30 years, JSI has partnered with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health to improve primary health care. Together, they focus on strengthening the quality of care and upgrading health infrastructure. With support from the Gates Foundation, JSI’s projects—Strengthening Service Delivery (SSD) and Improve Primary Health Care Service Delivery (IPHCSD)—work to provide essential services in rural health centers.
Improving Health Facilities with New Equipment
Recently, JSI equipped 23 health facilities across nine regions. They installed 16 solar panel systems and provided 25 portable ultrasound machines. One ultrasound machine was given to a mentoring facility to support nearby clinics through a catchment-based mentorship program. The other 24 machines went to high-volume rural health centers. Midwives received training to use the new equipment effectively.
This support helps deliver more reliable reproductive, maternal, and child health services in underserved areas. Solar power ensures health equipment, including cold chain devices, can function properly. Access to obstetric ultrasound reduces risks for mothers and improves infant survival rates.
Local Impact: Easier Access to Ultrasound
In Gimbo Woreda, serving about 20,000 people, there was previously no local ultrasound service. Pregnant women had to travel 17 kilometers to a hospital, facing both transport and ultrasound costs. Now, Uffa Health Center offers free ultrasound services to women in the area.
“ANC [antenatal care] follow-up has increased,” said Selamawit Anbesse, a midwife at Uffa Health Center. “We plan to extend services through outreach visits since the ultrasound machine is portable.”
Genete Health Center in Legambo Woreda faced similar challenges. Due to civil conflict, the nearest public hospital is hard to reach, so pregnant women were referred to private clinics. After receiving an ultrasound machine three months ago, ANC attendance has increased, and women come for earlier check-ups.
“Our center is one of only two in the woreda with an ultrasound machine,” said midwife Ebtisam Adem. “Two other centers now send clients here, allowing us to serve women beyond our immediate area.”
Looking Ahead
The projects continue to work on improving governance and investment in rural health. Recently, they delivered 27 motorbikes to improve communication between public and private health facilities, strengthen referral systems, and enhance health worker capacity.
Together, these efforts aim to ensure every mother and child, no matter where they live, can access the care they need to survive and thrive.
About the Projects
SSD builds on previous investments to improve integrated health services for women, newborns, children, and youth. IPHCSD focuses on optimizing primary health care platforms to raise the quality of essential health services. Both projects work together to support healthy pregnancies and safe deliveries across Ethiopia.
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