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The Ministry of Health has stepped up efforts to strengthen emergency medical services and Ebola preparedness at Lawate Health Centre in Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region, as part of ongoing initiatives to enhance the country's capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
The exercise, conducted on August 1, 2026, is being implemented through the Ministry’s Department of Emergency and Disaster Management in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG) and CIHEB Tanzania under the Global Health Security Project.
The programme involves healthcare workers from the facility’s emergency department, ambulance services and other units responsible for emergency response and critical care.
A team of specialists is carrying out supportive supervision through hands-on training, service assessments and technical mentoring aimed at improving the quality of emergency care and strengthening preparedness for disease outbreaks, including Ebola.
According to the Ministry, the initiative focuses on enhancing the capacity of frontline health workers to manage medical emergencies, accidents and critically ill patients while ensuring compliance with national treatment protocols and emergency care guidelines.
The experts are also evaluating service delivery systems at the facility and providing recommendations to improve emergency response mechanisms, infection prevention measures and outbreak readiness.
The intervention forms part of broader government efforts to reinforce health security systems by improving early detection, preparedness and response to infectious disease threats and other health emergencies.
Health officials say continuous mentorship and supportive supervision are critical in maintaining high standards of emergency and critical care services, particularly at primary healthcare facilities that serve as the first point of contact for many patients.
The programme is expected to strengthen the resilience of local health systems and enhance the ability of healthcare facilities to respond effectively to both routine emergencies and potential disease outbreaks.