Ethiopia Advances Maternal Healthcare with New Fetal Diagnostic and Intervention Center at St. Paul’s Hospital

Addis Ababa, August 14, 2026 (ENA) — A groundbreaking Fetal Diagnostic and Intervention Center at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC) was inaugurated today, marking a major step forward in Ethiopia’s efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes across the nation.

The new Fetal Diagnostic and Intervention Center will strengthen prenatal monitoring and care, with the Health Ministry saying the facility is designed to help create healthier future generations.

During the inauguration, State Minister of Health Frehiwot Abebe said:

“The new fetal center will provide advanced diagnostic and interventional services for unborn children, offering close monitoring and timely care while fetuses are still in the womb,” she said.

“This specialized facility represents a groundbreaking advancement in maternal-fetal medicine, enabling early detection of congenital anomalies and complex conditions that previously went undiagnosed until birth,” she added.

Frehiwot said, “By intervening during pregnancy, healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes for both mothers and infants, reducing mortality rates and long-term complications.”

Frehiwot stated that the government is implementing key interventions to improve maternal and child health. Upgrading health institutions and reorganizing the sector remain central to expanding access to medical services, while policy shifts focusing on prevention and treatment are already yielding significant results.

“These strategic changes include deploying additional medical personnel, modernizing equipment, and establishing rapid-response protocols for emergency situations,” Frehiwot said.

College Provost Dr. Muluken Tesfaye, for his part, highlighted the center’s modern equipment and specialist staff, stressing that early detection of conditions such as stunting, deformities, and Down syndrome—supported by AI and modern medical technology—will enable earlier, more effective treatment.

He said the center is the first of its kind in Ethiopia and will expand prenatal and perinatal services across hospitals.

“The center’s establishment marks a milestone in Ethiopia’s efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems,” Dr. Muluken said.

“By introducing advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities, it aims to reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth, ultimately lowering maternal and infant mortality rates.”

The provost added that, beyond direct clinical services, the facility is serving as a center of excellence, training about 204 specialized fellowship students and more than 2,500 residents.

It is also providing community outreach healthcare services to the surrounding community and acts as a hub for research and innovation in obstetrics and neonatology, fostering partnerships with regional and international institutions to enable knowledge exchange and the adoption of global best practices, he said.

Dr. Muluken also highlighted the center’s role in standardizing care protocols and creating a referral network that connects smaller hospitals and health centers, an integrated approach expected to ensure equitable access to high-quality maternal care nationwide.

He said the facility could support health tourism and provide specialized services to neighboring countries, while the college will continue research and community-oriented programs to address pressing public health challenges.