The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the University of Dodoma (UDOM), has begun the process of developing national guidelines to regulate the use of point-of-care ultrasound services in Tanzania, a move expected to strengthen diagnostic services, particularly at primary healthcare facilities.
Health sector stakeholders from across the country gathered in Morogoro on March 30, 2026, to deliberate on the preparation of the guideline for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), a technology that enables health workers to conduct quick ultrasound examinations directly at the point of patient care.
Opening the meeting, the Ministry of Health’s Director of Diagnostic Services and Medical Equipment Maintenance, Dr Alex Magesa, said the initiative aims to establish a shared understanding and a clear framework to guide the proper, safe and effective use of ultrasound technology at all levels of healthcare delivery.
He noted that the absence of a national guideline has previously led to inconsistencies in how ultrasound examinations and sonography training are conducted across the country.
“Before this guideline, different people have been conducting ultrasound examinations in their own ways. Some institutions have been offering sonography training based on their own approaches, which is not standard,” Dr Magesa said.
He explained that once the guideline is completed, healthcare professionals performing ultrasound examinations will be required to follow national standards to ensure uniformity, safety and efficiency in service delivery.
According to Dr Magesa, the guideline will play a critical role in improving diagnostic capacity in lower-level health facilities, enabling more patients to access ultrasound services closer to their communities.
UDOM lecturer and principal investigator of the project, Dr Leonard Katalambula, said the initiative also seeks to strengthen collaboration among health sector stakeholders while laying a strong foundation for the expanded use of POCUS technology in Tanzania’s health system.
He noted that point-of-care ultrasound has become an increasingly important tool in modern healthcare as it allows clinicians to quickly assess patients and make timely medical decisions.
The technology is particularly useful in emergency care and in remote areas where advanced diagnostic equipment may not be readily available.
Dr Katalambula said the development of a national guideline will help ensure that healthcare workers receive proper training and use the technology consistently and responsibly.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the Radiology Professionals Council under the Ministry of Health, Dr Ramadhani Kabala, said the programme will significantly expand access to ultrasound services in lower-level health facilities.
Currently, many patients are forced to travel long distances to regional or referral hospitals to obtain ultrasound examinations.
He said strengthening the use of point-of-care ultrasound at primary healthcare facilities will help reduce unnecessary referrals while improving timely diagnosis and treatment.
The project is being implemented by UDOM with financial support from the Gates Foundation and focuses on strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers through specialised training in the proper use of POCUS technology.
The Morogoro meeting brought together representatives from Zanzibar, the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), professional councils, professional associations, healthcare providers and universities.
Health officials believe that once finalised, the guideline will improve the quality, accessibility and efficiency of diagnostic services in Tanzania by promoting standardised training and proper use of ultrasound technology across the country.
