The Ministry of Health, working closely with the World Health Organization (World Health Organization), has strengthened national efforts to prevent and control epidemic-prone diseases at all border entry points in Tanzania.
The move is part of ongoing measures to protect public health and stop the spread of dangerous diseases such as cholera across both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The initiative focuses on improving surveillance systems, strengthening environmental health measures, and ensuring that all risks at border points are properly identified and controlled.
Authorities say this is crucial because borders remain key entry points for travellers, goods, and potential health risks.
Speaking on May 10, 2026, in Morogoro, the Acting Assistant Director for Environmental Health and Sanitation, Dr. Amour Seleman, said experts are continuously working on practical strategies to manage environmental risks that could trigger disease outbreaks at border areas.
He said the government’s focus is to ensure that all possible sources of contamination are properly controlled, including waste management, water safety, and general hygiene systems at entry points.
Dr. Seleman emphasized that effective implementation of these measures will help protect communities living near borders as well as travellers entering the country.
He also called on all stakeholders involved in the process to take responsibility in ensuring the plans are fully implemented on the ground. According to him, strong coordination between institutions is key to safeguarding public health.
The Head of Border Health Services, Dr. Remedius Kakulu, said the ongoing technical discussions aim to strengthen health systems at all 59 border health points in Mainland Tanzania and additional entry points in Zanzibar.
He explained that experts are preparing clear guidelines to improve environmental health management at borders, including control of infectious diseases, safe water supply, waste management, food safety, vector control, and air quality monitoring.
“These measures are designed to make sure every border point in the country is safe and well managed. Our goal is to reduce all risks that may lead to disease outbreaks,” said Dr. Kakulu.
In Zanzibar, the Head of Border Health Services, Ms. Rukaiya Mohamed Said, said the island region is fully involved in the national plan through its nine entry points, including seaports.
She said Zanzibar is focusing on strengthening systems for water safety, food hygiene, waste management, and disease vector control.
She added that close cooperation between Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania is essential in ensuring consistent health standards across all entry points.
Ms. Rukaiya said the joint approach will help ensure that all 68 border points in the country operate under strong health protection systems, reducing the risk of disease spread.
After the technical discussions, Zanzibar is expected to continue working closely with Mainland Tanzania to ensure effective implementation of the agreed health measures.
Closing the discussions, Senior Environmental Health Officer Josephine Kapinga said the programme is being implemented through collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (World Health Organization) under the Pandemic Fund initiative.
She said the support from development partners and stakeholders is helping to strengthen Tanzania’s ability to prevent and respond quickly to disease outbreaks.
Kapinga noted that the efforts are part of a broader national commitment to ensure that all border points are safe, well equipped, and able to protect citizens from health threats.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to continue improving border health systems, stressing that strong prevention measures remain the most effective way to protect citizens and safeguard public health across the country.
