Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening domestic laboratory capacity to ensure that biological samples linked to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies are tested, stored and managed within the country, a move aimed at enhancing national preparedness and safeguarding health security.
The commitment was made by Minister for Health Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa during the signing of the Tanzania–United States Health Sector Partnership Framework in Dar es Salaam, where officials from both countries reviewed areas of cooperation in strengthening the health sector.
Mchengerwa said the government's strategy is focused on building a modern, self-reliant laboratory system capable of responding rapidly to disease outbreaks while meeting internationally recognised biosafety and biosecurity standards.
"Tanzania will continue investing in its domestic laboratory capacity. Samples associated with diseases that have the potential to cause outbreaks, epidemics and other public health emergencies will be managed within the country in accordance with the highest international biosafety standards," he said.
The minister said the decision reflects the government's broader vision of strengthening national institutions responsible for laboratory services, disease surveillance, biological sample management and the use of advanced technologies for disease detection and health data analysis.
He noted that retaining the management of biological samples within Tanzania will improve the country's ability to independently confirm disease outbreaks, conduct scientific investigations and respond more quickly to emerging health threats.
According to Mchengerwa, stronger domestic laboratory systems are also essential for protecting national health security, reducing dependence on external facilities and ensuring timely evidence-based decision-making during public health emergencies.
He stressed that the policy should not be interpreted as a retreat from international collaboration, but rather as a strategic effort to build stronger national capacity while maintaining productive partnerships with global health institutions and development partners.
"Tanzania remains committed to international cooperation in the health sector. Strengthening our own laboratory capacity complements these partnerships and enables us to contribute more effectively to regional and global health security," he said.
The minister added that the Tanzania–United States health partnership will continue to support priority areas, including disease surveillance, laboratory system strengthening, workforce development, emergency preparedness and the adoption of innovative health technologies.
The renewed emphasis on domestic laboratory capacity comes as Tanzania continues to invest in resilient health systems capable of detecting, monitoring and responding to infectious diseases, positioning the country to better manage future public health emergencies while advancing scientific research and innovation.
