The POCUS Initiative

The POCUS Initiative was co-designed by Dr. Jill Wruble, Ashley Harris, and Jon Vaccaro together with Zambian radiologists and Sonographers , in response to the shortage of diagnostic imaging resources and to enhance sonographic services at point-of-care. The project will provide point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) machines and hands-on training for radiologists, trainee radiologists,emergency physicians and other physicians.

In low-resource settings, ultrasound is often the most essential  and easily accessible diagnostic tool, and POCUS—portable, versatile, and cost-effective—enables clinicians to offer real time, faster, safer bedside diagnostic information, thereby enhancing treatment initiation and patient satisfaction. 

On September 8, 2025, the U.S. teaching team arrived in Lusaka to conduct the first two week POCUS training session and delivered 12 new POCUS machines. To ensure the program’s long-term impact, outcomes will be measured collaboratively—tracking both the numbers of clinicians trained and reductions in wait times. For US examinations.  Data collection is already underway, laying the foundation for sustainable, evidence-based progress.

1. Equipment Acquisition

• 12 POCUS machines delivered for use in the hospital in Lusaka, with a focus on the Radiology and Emergency Departments.
• Impact: Immediate access to POCUS will enable quicker and more accurate diagnosis of a range of critical conditions, including respiratory distress, abdominal pain, cardiac disease, infectious diseases, and trauma.
• Data Collection: We are currently gathering baseline data from the Radiology and ED teams on the number of patients requiring ultrasound for diagnosis and treatment.

2. Training and Certification

• Scope: Train GRADZ radiologists and radiology residents, as well as the 15 physicians staffing the Emergency Department.
• Training Approach:
• Comprehensive, standardized training program covering both didactic and hands-on techniques.
• Training will be delivered by U.S.-based radiologists, requiring up to three trips to Zambia annually.
• Successful completion will lead to formal POCUS certification, enabling certified providers to train others and expand expertise within Zambia and neighboring countries.

3. Quality and Sustainability 

While not requiring immediate funding, establishing a standardized protocol for POCUS training and reporting would strengthen the program’s long-term impact. This includes:

• Developing a formal curriculum and evaluation system to ensure consistent, high-quality training.
• Standardizing ultrasound examination techniques and reporting to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.
• Creating a certification pathway to maintain high standards and enable the future training of additional providers. 

Any Support provided would continue to advance this mission

Recap Video 2025-2026

UTH department head with Entire American contingent, upon arrival.

Susan Henson, Sonographer

Danielle Brown, Sonographer

Dr. Juliet Mulowpe, Radiology Department head at UTH

Michelle Cunningham, Sonographer

Jon Vaccaro MD, Radiologist

The team arrived with 12 Butterfly portable ultrasound units, chargers, and four iPads—bringing portable imaging to Zambia. The units work with cell phones for broad use, while iPads provide larger images ideal for group teaching.

The teaching and learning begins

End of week one, Friday afternoon