By Respondents Reporter
KATAVI: Tanzania has stepped up efforts to strengthen its readiness against potential Ebola outbreaks, with healthcare workers in Katavi Region receiving specialised hands-on training aimed at enhancing emergency response capacity and safeguarding public health.
The training, conducted at Tanganyika District Hospital on June 22, 2026, brought together healthcare professionals working in Emergency Medicine Departments (EMD) and Intensive Care Units (ICU).
The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Health through its Emergency and Disaster Management Unit in collaboration with the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), CIHEB Tanzania through the Global Health Security Project, and other health sector partners.
The initiative focuses on equipping frontline health workers with practical skills for the early detection and management of suspected Ebola cases, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection prevention and control measures, and the safe delivery of care to patients during outbreaks of highly infectious diseases.
Health authorities say the programme is part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s preparedness for public health emergencies by ensuring that healthcare providers are able to respond swiftly and effectively should an outbreak occur.
The training combines supportive supervision with workplace-based learning, allowing participants to apply national emergency care guidelines in real clinical settings while receiving mentorship from experienced trainers.
The approach also encourages knowledge sharing among healthcare workers and promotes adherence to best practices in emergency response.
Officials noted that strengthening the skills of frontline healthcare workers remains critical to protecting both patients and medical personnel, particularly in the face of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that continue to pose risks across the region.
The exercise forms part of an ongoing national capacity-building programme designed to improve the preparedness of health facilities nationwide and enhance the resilience of Tanzania’s health system against disease outbreaks, disasters and other public health emergencies.
As governments across Africa continue to reinforce surveillance and response systems for epidemic-prone diseases, Tanzania has maintained a strong focus on preparedness, recognising that a well-trained health workforce is the first line of defence against health threats that can quickly cross borders and affect communities.
