AP Health Minister Announces Pre-Natal TIFFA Scanning At 7 Secondary Hospitals

Making this significant announcement on Monday, Health, Medical and Family Welfare minister Satyakumar Yadav explained that trial runs of the equipment are underway. Full-fledged services will be available to pregnant women from January 1, 2006 onwards, he said.

TIFFA scanning enables early detection of congenital abnormalities in foetuses of pregnant women, leading to a corrective line of treatment. Each scanning unit has been procured at a cost of ₹30.48 lakh, with the government spending ₹2.13 crore for scanners at all the seven facilities. Notably, three of the hospitals are located in North Andhra, ensuring improved access to advanced prenatal diagnostics for women in tribal and remote regions.

The Health minister said TIFFA scans are conducted between 18 weeks and 22 weeks of pregnancy. The scanner examines the foetus in detail, including brain, spine, heart, limbs, abdomen, placenta and umbilical cord, helping identify anomalies at an early stage. The seven scanners are expected to benefit 1,000 pregnant women per month.

Until now, TIFFA services had been available only at government teaching hospitals, forcing women from distant areas to travel long distances. In private hospitals, the scan typically costs ₹3,000–₹4,000.

Secondary Health director Chakradhara Babu said the state government decided to install TIFFA facilities at secondary hospitals to reduce travel hardships and out-of-pocket expenses for expectant mothers, while ensuring timely access to specialised care.

Citing data, officials said around 7 per cent of new-borns have some form of congenital defect. A TIFFA scan assesses foetal position, amniotic fluid levels, and organ development, enabling doctors to plan advanced treatment or referrals well in time.

The rollout marks a major upgrade in prenatal diagnostics at the secondary-care public hospitals, reinforcing the state’s commitment to safer pregnancies and healthier new-borns.