Tanzania has stepped up its preparedness against infectious diseases entering through its seaports by training 45 health experts on ship inspection in line with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The move is part of the government’s broader strategy to safeguard public health and enhance surveillance at entry points.
The Head of Port Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Amour Selemani, said the training which opened in Dar es Salaam focuses on implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) approved by WHO and ratified by its member states.
“These regulations will guide our experts in inspecting vessels docking at Tanzanian ports. Ships that meet the required health and sanitation standards will be issued Sanitation Certificates,” Dr. Selemani explained.
Participants in the training include health officers from the ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mtwara, Mwanza, and Kigoma, as well as from Zanzibar’s Malindi, Wete, Mkoani, Fumba, and Mkokotoni ports.
Dr. Selemani noted that the initiative aligns with directives from Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Doto Biteko, who recently launched the Pandemic Fund Project in Mwanza to strengthen national systems for disease prevention and control.
“The Ministry organized this training as part of our commitment to ensure that port health officers are fully equipped to identify and contain potential disease outbreaks before they spread,” he said.
He added that the necessary tools and equipment for detecting and controlling infectious diseases are already available, while additional supplies are being procured with WHO support under the pandemic preparedness project.
WHO-Tanzania’s Outbreak Surveillance Officer, Dr. George Kauki, said the training is part of a structured program that began with online sessions and now includes hands-on, country-specific practical sessions.
“For health officers to qualify to conduct inspections and issue sanitation certificates, they must undergo WHO-accredited training,” Dr. Kauki explained.
“This milestone makes Tanzania the first country in the Great Lakes region to have certified experts capable of conducting ship inspections and issuing health clearance certificates.”he added
The initiative is seen as a critical step in reinforcing Tanzania’s frontline defense against global health threats ensuring that the nation’s ports not only facilitate trade and travel but also remain safe gateways against disease transmission.