Tanzania is stepping up efforts to strengthen its capacity to respond to public health emergencies and disasters, with authorities reaffirming the country's readiness to deploy specialised response teams both domestically and internationally as part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health.
The Ministry of Health said the move is aimed at enhancing preparedness against emerging health threats, including Ebola, Marburg and other infectious disease outbreaks that continue to pose risks across the region.
Speaking in Morogoro on June 4, 2026, the Director of Emergency and Disaster Management at the Ministry of Health, Dr Erasto Sylvanus, said Tanzania had made significant progress in building a robust emergency response system capable of addressing crises swiftly and effectively.
He was opening a multi-sectoral workshop that brought together experts from various government institutions under the One Health framework to participate in a tabletop simulation exercise.
The exercise was designed to test the practical application of the country's newly developed Personnel Deployment Guideline, which provides a framework for deploying experts to emergency situations within and outside Tanzania.
Dr Sylvanus said the guideline is a critical tool in strengthening the country's disaster preparedness architecture and ensuring coordinated responses during health emergencies.
"Tanzania has continued to invest in the preparedness of health professionals and emergency response systems to ensure the country can effectively respond to outbreaks and disasters whenever they occur," he said.
His remarks come at a time when several countries in the region continue to battle recurrent outbreaks of Ebola and other infectious diseases, prompting governments to strengthen surveillance and response measures.
Dr Sylvanus assured the public that Tanzania remains vigilant and has intensified monitoring at key entry points, particularly along borders shared with countries that have previously reported Ebola cases, including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He said health authorities have also expanded public awareness campaigns to ensure citizens remain informed about disease prevention and early reporting mechanisms.
"We would like to assure Tanzanians that the government has taken comprehensive precautionary measures. Health experts are on high alert and public education initiatives are ongoing to ensure communities remain protected," he said.
While emphasising that Tanzania has not recorded any confirmed Ebola case, Dr Sylvanus urged citizens to continue adhering to guidance issued by health authorities.
He also commended healthcare workers across the country for their commitment during emergencies, noting that Tanzanian experts have earned a reputation for professionalism and competence in responding to health crises.
According to him, the country's growing pool of trained professionals places Tanzania in a strong position to support regional and international emergency response efforts whenever necessary.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has meanwhile praised Tanzania for developing the deployment guideline, describing it as an important milestone in strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems.
WHO Emergency Preparedness Officer Dr Faraja Msemwa said Tanzania's initiative demonstrates leadership in implementing international best practices for health security.
"Tanzania has shown remarkable commitment and readiness by developing this guideline. It is an important instrument that will facilitate the timely deployment of experts during emergencies and aligns well with the International Health Regulations," he said.
He noted that few countries in Africa have established similar frameworks and pledged continued WHO support in strengthening Tanzania's emergency response capacity.
The Prime Minister's Office also welcomed the development, describing the guideline as a key step towards enhancing coordination among institutions responsible for disaster management and public health protection.
Ms Mwanaisha Mrisho from the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy and Parliamentary Affairs said the framework would help ensure that emergency responses are conducted efficiently while meeting international standards.
Health experts say the simulation exercise reflects Tanzania's increasing focus on preparedness rather than reaction, a strategy viewed as essential in an era of frequent disease outbreaks, climate-related disasters and cross-border health threats.
As regional and global health risks continue to evolve, authorities believe stronger preparedness systems, well-trained personnel and coordinated response mechanisms will remain central to protecting lives and maintaining public confidence in the country's health system.
