Our Respondents reporter, Arusha
Laboratory professionals in Tanzania have been urged to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and biosafety to prevent potential public health threats arising from unsafe handling and long-term storage of hazardous pathogens and biological samples.
The call was made by the One Health Coordinator in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), Ms Valentino Sanga, during the opening of a five-day workshop being held in Arusha from June 15 to 19, 2026.
Ms Sanga said the training brings together experts to exchange experiences, refresh their professional responsibilities and enhance their knowledge on modern national and international laboratory biosafety standards.
She emphasized that proper management of hazardous pathogens and long-term biological samples is critical in strengthening disease prevention systems, improving early detection of health threats and safeguarding communities from potential outbreaks.
“If we make good use of this workshop, we will strengthen prevention systems, improve early detection of health risks and ensure safe management of hazardous pathogens and long-term stored samples to protect communities,” she said.
She warned that negligence in handling dangerous biological materials could have serious consequences for public health and would undermine the responsibility entrusted to laboratory professionals.
Ms Sanga further called on participants to adhere to national and international biosafety guidelines, noting that Tanzania is a signatory to various global frameworks aimed at protecting human, animal and environmental health through internationally accepted safety practices.
Speaking during the meeting, a representative of the Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity Tanzania (CIHEB-Tanzania), Mr Samwel Mulungu, said the institution, through the Global Health Security (GHS) Project, had supported the training to enhance a shared understanding among experts on proper containment and management of hazardous pathogens.
He noted that biological agents stored in laboratories require the highest level of attention because failures in safety systems could expose both laboratory personnel and the wider public to infectious risks.
“Failure to follow professional safety procedures can result in serious public health consequences. History has shown the dangers posed by certain hazardous pathogens, including anthrax, when biosafety systems are weak,” Mr Mulungu said.
A total of 26 specialists from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Health, National Public Health Laboratory, pathogen and sample storage facilities, regional and zonal hospitals, universities and other government institutions are participating in the training aimed at strengthening laboratory biosafety and protecting public health.
