Laboratory experts have been urged to ensure accurate and timely testing as the country prepares for heavy rains that could increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
The call was made yesterday, September 11, 2026, by Joakim John Chacha, Laboratory Services Coordinator in the Disease Investigation, Surveillance and Control Unit at the Ministry of Health, at the end of a five-day training programme in Morogoro.
The training brought together laboratory professionals from Lindi, Mtwara, Pwani, Tanga, Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions, with a focus on strengthening laboratory-based disease surveillance.
Mr Chacha said timely and accurate laboratory results were critical to helping doctors and other health workers make appropriate treatment decisions.
He urged the trained professionals to apply the skills they had acquired and share them with colleagues at their respective health facilities.
“You have been equipped with skills in proper sample collection, transportation and processing. I urge you to fulfil your responsibilities and share this knowledge with your colleagues so that we can achieve the Government’s goal of improving the quality of health services,” he said.
Mr Chacha said the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), had so far trained 162 laboratory professionals from 17 regions in laboratory-based disease surveillance.
The training comes as Tanzania prepares for a period of heavy rainfall, raising concerns over possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases, particularly cholera and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
Robert Makala, chairman of regional laboratory services coordinators under the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), urged laboratory professionals to strengthen their preparedness and ensure facilities can respond quickly to disease threats.
He said the forecast heavy rains could create conditions favourable for the spread of some diseases, making effective surveillance and laboratory testing essential.
A participant, Mathei Charles Mwingira, a disease surveillance officer at Msamaria Mwema Ifikara Cancer Hospital in Morogoro, thanked the Government and WHO for organising the training.
He said involving laboratory professionals from both public and private health facilities would help strengthen disease surveillance and improve the quality of diagnostic services.
Mr Mwingira urged participants to put the knowledge gained into practice to ensure patients receive reliable test results and appropriate care.