Publications

SAHA is pleased to announce the publication of our latest research on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), a central component of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the healthcare system in Somaliland. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a POCUS training program for general practitioners across public hospitals in Somaliland, showing high concordance (90 %) between trained clinicians and expert reviewers across 500 diagnostic scans, particularly in renal, lung, and hepatobiliary imaging — demonstrating that locally trained clinicians can reliably perform and interpret bedside ultrasound in multiple clinical settings.

Notably, the study found:

• Excellent agreement between trained practitioners and experts in ultrasound interpretation, underscoring successful capacity building.
• Consistent performance across departments — including emergency, ICU, and outpatient clinics — highlighting the versatility of POCUS in routine care.
• The findings support the role of POCUS as a feasible diagnostic tool in resource-limited settings, with potential to improve early diagnosis and clinical decision-making at the point of care.

This publication further reinforces SAHA’s commitment to enhancing clinical skills, expanding diagnostic capacity, and improving patient outcomes in Somaliland’s health facilities.

Read the full paper by clicking on the poster below.