The Ministry of Health Tanzania has completed a five-day review and revitalisation meeting of the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR), reinforcing the country’s readiness to respond to public health emergencies. The meeting was held in Arusha from February 16 to 20, 2026.
The high-level technical session brought together experts from the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Prime Minister – PMO-RALG, the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH, CIHEB, the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), the Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) and the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission.
Discussions focused on strengthening coordination among institutions and improving the speed and effectiveness of responses to public health emergencies, including disease outbreaks and other health threats of national and international concern.
Through the meeting, participants reviewed, updated and refined three key IHR SoP guidelines, a step officials say will significantly enhance the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies in line with global standards.
Health experts noted that the updated guidelines will help Tanzania meet international obligations while promoting modern and coordinated approaches to disease surveillance, prevention and control.
They said the improved procedures will also support clearer roles and faster decision-making among institutions involved in emergency preparedness and response.
The Ministry of Health has urged all stakeholders to continue working closely to ensure the revised guidelines are effectively implemented and regularly updated, emphasising that sustained collaboration is essential to guaranteeing timely and efficient responses to public health emergencies and protecting the health and safety of Tanzanians.