The Tanzanian government, in collaboration with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), is making significant strides in strengthening the country’s capacity to detect and respond to outbreak-prone diseases.
This was announced today, February 19, 2026, in Dar es Salaam by Mr. Ambele Mwafulango, Director of the National Public Health Laboratory, during the launch of the third-year phase of the five-year project.
Mr. Mwafulango said that most of the activities planned for the first two years have been successfully implemented, including the procurement of advanced laboratory equipment and reagents, as well as capacity-building for laboratory staff to improve rapid and accurate disease detection.
“Based on our assessment, the project has achieved satisfactory progress within its first two years. We have strengthened laboratory infrastructure, acquired modern diagnostic tools, and enhanced the skills of our specialists to quickly identify outbreak-prone diseases,” he said.
Over TZS 694 million will be allocated for the third year of the project, following expenditures of TZS 400 million and TZS 674 million in the first and second years, respectively.
Dr. Hanson Park of KOFIH explained that the project aims to improve disease surveillance systems for illnesses such as dengue, cholera, and emerging respiratory infections using advanced technologies, including Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).
“It is essential for all stakeholders to follow project guidelines and provide input for future activities. Collaboration and accountability are the foundations of the project’s success,” Dr. Park said.
Meanwhile, Acting Director of Preventive Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Otilia Gowelle, said the government is committed to educating citizens on how to prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
This is being done through health education coordinators and targeted inspections in areas showing early signs of disease outbreaks.
The project underscores Tanzania’s commitment to building a robust public health system capable of quickly identifying and controlling outbreak-prone diseases, ensuring the health and safety of its citizens.