Archive · 23 Dec 2025
AP Expands Pre-Natal TIFFA Scanning to 7 Hospitals
The Andhra Pradesh government is adding special baby scanning machines to seven hospitals.
These machines, called TIFFA scanners, help doctors check babies in mommies' tummies for any problems.
The government spent a lot of money to buy these machines so that mommies don't have to travel far to get these checks.
The scans will be free and will help doctors plan the best care for the babies.
This is a big step to make sure babies are healthy when they are born.
Additionally, NIMS in Hyderabad has opened a new facility with advanced equipment for checking babies in the womb.
This facility offers scans and other tests at a lower cost than private hospitals, making it easier for families to get the care they need.
AP government installs TIFFA scanning facilities at 7 secondary hospitals.
Full services to begin on January 1, 2006, with trial runs underway.
Each scanner costs ₹30.48 lakh, totaling ₹2.13 crore for all facilities.
Scans will be available between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Expected to benefit 1,000 pregnant women per month, reducing travel and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh government, Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav, Secondary Health director Chakradhara Babu, NIMS director Prof. Nagari Bheerappa, Dr. Shagun Agarwal
- What
- Expansion of TIFFA scanning facilities to 7 secondary hospitals and inauguration of a dedicated Fetal Medicine Facility at NIMS
- When
- Full services start January 1, 2006
- Where
- Narsipatnam, Tuni, Nandigama, Ongole, Parvathipuram, Tenali, Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh; NIMS in Hyderabad
- Why
- To improve access to advanced prenatal diagnostics and reduce travel hardships for expectant mothers, and to provide early detection of genetic and fetal abnormalities
Government Initiative
Private Sector
Cost of Scans
Government Initiative
Government provides scans at no cost to patients, reducing financial burden.
Private Sector
Private hospitals charge ₹3,000–₹4,000 for similar scans, which is more affordable than the ₹5,000–₹8,000 range mentioned for other private procedures.
- Hospitals
- Narsipatnam, Tuni, Nandigama, Ongole, Parvathipuram, Tenali, Anakapalli
- Cost per Scanner
- ₹30.48 lakh
- Total Cost
- ₹2.13 crore
- Scan Period
- 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy
- Expected Beneficiaries
- 1,000 pregnant women per month
- Private Scan Cost
- ₹3,000–₹4,000
- Congenital Defect Rate
- 7% of new-borns
- NIMS Scan Cost
- ₹1,000–₹3,000
- NIMS Procedures
- 2D and 3D fetal ultrasound scans, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- NIMS High-Risk Pregnancy Ultrasounds
- 780 in 2025
- NIMS Invasive Diagnostic Procedures
- 500 in 2025
