health stakeholders meets UDOM to develop guidelines for the POCUS system

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the University of Dodoma, has convened health sector stakeholders to develop national guidelines for the use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), in a move aimed at improving healthcare delivery.

The initiative is being implemented through UDOM’s School of Nursing and Public Health (SoNPH), with the objective of establishing a standardized framework for the safe, effective, and consistent use of ultrasound technology across all levels of healthcare, particularly at primary care facilities.

Opening the meeting, the Director of Diagnostic Services and Medical Equipment Maintenance at the Ministry of Health, Dr Alex Magesa, said the guidelines would address inconsistencies in the provision of sonography services.

He noted that prior to this initiative, practitioners had been conducting ultrasound examinations and training using varying approaches, resulting in a lack of uniform national standards.

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“Once finalized, the guidelines will require all practitioners to adhere to standardized procedures in delivering ultrasound services,” Dr Magesa said.

Meanwhile, the project’s lead researcher and lecturer from UDOM, Dr Leonard Katalambula, stated that the effort is intended to strengthen stakeholder coordination and establish a solid foundation for integrating POCUS into the healthcare system.

On his part, the Registrar of the Radiology Professional Council at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ramadhani Kabala, said the implementation of the guidelines would expand access to ultrasound services at lower-level facilities and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to referral and regional hospitals.

He added that the project is funded by the Gates Foundation and aims to build the capacity of healthcare workers through structured training on the proper use of POCUS.

The meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from Zanzibar, the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), professional councils, associations, healthcare facilities, and universities.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services through the integration of technology across all levels of the health system.