The Ministry of Health is continuing to strengthen maternal and child health services across the country through the introduction and wider use of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS), a modern diagnostic technology aimed at improving the speed and accuracy of medical decisions at health facilities.
The initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of reproductive, maternal, and child health services, especially at lower-level health facilities where access to advanced diagnostic tools has been limited.
This was said on May 25, 2026, in Morogoro Region by the Director of Diagnostic Services and Medical Equipment Maintenance at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alex S. Magesa, during a working session focused on developing national guidelines for the use of POCUS in maternal and child health services.
Dr. Magesa said the introduction of POCUS is a major step in improving early detection and clinical decision-making during pregnancy, childbirth, and child care.
He explained that the technology allows health workers to conduct quick examinations at the point of care, helping them identify risks earlier and respond faster to complications.
He added that the development of national guidelines will ensure that the technology is used in a standardised and safe manner across the country.
The guidelines will also define training requirements for health workers, certification and registration of users, supervision systems, and quality assurance measures to ensure that services meet professional standards.
According to Dr. Magesa, as the use of ultrasound at the point of care expands, it is important to ensure consistency and patient safety.
He said the government is committed to making sure that all health workers using the technology are properly trained and that facilities are well supported to deliver quality services.
On his part, the Programme Manager for the Safe Mother and Child Project under THAMINI Uhai, Dr. Alex Mputa, said cooperation between the government and development partners continues to play a key role in strengthening maternal and child health services in Tanzania.
He said through the project, THAMINI Uhai is working closely with the Ministry of Health to train health workers and improve their skills in using POCUS technology.
This, he said, is helping to improve the quality of diagnosis and increase safety for mothers and newborns.
Dr. Mputa added that continuous training is important to ensure that health workers are confident and competent in using the equipment, especially in busy or resource-limited health facilities.
He noted that expanding the use of POCUS will help reduce delays in diagnosis and referral, which are often linked to preventable complications.
The Morogoro working session is part of wider national efforts to strengthen health systems and improve service delivery for mothers and children.
The government, together with its partners, continues to focus on improving access to quality diagnostic services as part of broader efforts to reduce maternal and child health risks in the country.
