Publications

Implementing Noncommunicable Disease Clinics to Improve Control of Hypertension in Somaliland: An Observational Study

The Somalilander-American Health Association (SAHA) is pleased to announce that landmark research evaluating the impact of Somaliland’s first dedicated Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Clinic, titled “Implementing noncommunicable disease clinics to improve control of hypertension in Somaliland: an observational study,” has been accepted for a poster presentation at the 3rd International Conference on PEN-Plus in Africa (ICPPA 2026) in Tanzania.

Established in November 2022 at Hargeisa Group Hospital, the NCD Clinic was created to address the growing burden of chronic health conditions, including hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

About the Research

The study focuses on patients living with hypertension, evaluating how structured, continuous care at the clinic improves blood pressure control over time. Analysis of patient outcomes demonstrates significant and sustained reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure among those receiving ongoing follow-up. Driven by a nurse- and general practitioner-led team supported by specialist supervision, this care model serves as a successful proof-of-concept for delivering high-quality, integrated NCD management in resource-constrained settings.

Ultimately, these positive clinical outcomes provide a strong foundation to support the future expansion of specialized NCD services across public health facilities in Somaliland. Building on this success, SAHA has already scaled up two similar clinics at Burao and Gabiley Regional Hospitals, with plans to expand services further across Somaliland in the future.

To read the full paper, click on the poster.

Assessing the Efficacy of POCUS Training in The Republic of Somaliland: A Retrospective Analysis of 500 Scans Conducted by General Practitioners

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.