DAR ES SALAAM, March 25 (Xinhua) -- The Tanzanian government has strengthened digital disease surveillance systems to enhance early detection and rapid response to outbreaks, a health official said on Wednesday.
Vida Makundi Mmbaga, assistant director of epidemiology and disease control at the Ministry of Health in Tanzania, said the upgraded systems enable authorities to receive and act on daily reports and alerts of suspected disease outbreaks.
"Through these digital systems, we receive information and rumors of any type of disease on a daily basis and respond quickly," Mmbaga said during a quarterly review meeting on the implementation of the International Health Regulations.
The meeting, held in Arusha, was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Office, Tanzania, and the World Health Organization (WHO) through the pandemic fund project.
Mmbaga said multiple teams have been deployed across the country, including surveillance, response, and public awareness units, to strengthen preparedness and prevention of public health emergencies.
She urged the public to cooperate by reporting unusual health events and suspected outbreaks.
According to Mmbaga, disease surveillance begins at the grassroots level, involving individuals, teachers, livestock experts, and even traditional healers.
Faraja Msemwa, emergency preparedness and response officer at the WHO Tanzania office, said the pandemic fund project has supported joint assessments of the International Health Regulations across all levels of government.
