This week, the 13th edition of the Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training is underway in Ifakara, marking another milestone in strengthening diagnostic capabilities among healthcare professionals across Tanzania.

The five-day hands-on course, which kicked off on Monday, June 2 through Friday, June 6, 2025, is organized by the Ifakara Health Institute in collaboration with St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital (SFRRH) and the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH). It brings together 24 healthcare professionals to enhance their knowledge and equip them with practical skills for rapid diagnosis using ultrasound for real-time, bedside diagnostics.

Goal: Improving accuracy, patient outcomes
Throughout the week, participants will learn using six ultrasound machines available on-site, gaining the skills necessary to perform POCUS in line with international guidelines. The goal is to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes, particularly in resource-limited settings.

The POCUS training series, launched in 2017, has become a cornerstone of clinical capacity building at Ifakara Health Institute. The POCUS 11th course, held in May 2024, introduced clinicians from regions including Rukwa, Pemba, and Zanzibar to advanced ultrasound techniques, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This was followed by the 12th course in October 2024, which focused on critical care applications for young clinicians and nurses, emphasizing the integration of sonographic findings with clinical decision-making. 

The courses blend theoretical instruction with hands-on practice using volunteer patients, guided by a multidisciplinary team of local and international experts. The program is accredited by the Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCT), awarding 20 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points to participants upon successful completion.

Strong emphasis on real-time practice
This year’s course places a strong emphasis on real-time scanning practice, guided by a team of expert instructors. Leading the training are PD Dr. med. Martin Rohacek, a physician; Prof. Dr. med. Maja Weisser, a specialist in infectious diseases, and Dr. Andrew Katende, a physician—all from Ifakara.

Additional instructors include Dr. Helena Machibya, a radiologist from Temeke Regional Referral Hospital; Dr. Elias Marandu, a surgeon at St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital (SFRRH); Sylvester Kasunga and Geofrey Mbunda, both sonographers at SFRRH; Victor Myovela, an assistant radiologist, board-certified sonographer, and echocardiographer at SFRRH; and Faraja Kitila, also a board-certified sonographer at SFRRH.

“This training is not just about using technology — it’s about improving diagnostic capacity at the point of care,” says Dr. Rohacek. “We want to empower healthcare providers with skills that can save lives.”