Tanzania holds preparatory meeting for the Oct 1st EAC Health Ministers’ meeting in Arusha

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Health has held a preparatory meeting ahead of the country’s participation in the 26th East African Community (EAC) Sectoral Council of Ministers for Health meeting, scheduled to take place in Arusha from October 1 to 6, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Mtumba, Dodoma, bringing together health experts and stakeholders from the Ministry of Health in Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), the Medical Stores Department (MSD), Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH), the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), the Ministry of Education and Muhimbili University.

Speaking during the meeting, EAC and Africa CDC Coordinator Dr Michael Kiremeji said the preparations were aimed at ensuring effective coordination of Tanzania’s participation in the meeting and enabling the country to contribute to discussions on health issues aimed at improving the well-being of people across the East African Community.

He said the meeting would also provide an opportunity to review the implementation of decisions reached during previous meetings, as well as progress on various health programmes and projects being implemented within the EAC.

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Dr Kiremeji said the preparatory session was intended to establish coordinated preparations for Tanzania’s participation, including reviewing the various agenda items to be discussed and ensuring the country participates fully in the deliberations and decision-making process.

“This preparatory meeting is aimed at ensuring that Tanzania’s preparations are well coordinated and facilitating discussions on the implementation of decisions reached during previous meetings, as well as various health programmes and projects within the East African Community,” Dr Kiremeji said.

He further explained that the EAC meeting would be conducted at three levels. From October 1 to 4, 2026, technical experts will hold their session, followed by a meeting of Permanent Secretaries on October 5. The meeting of EAC Ministers of Health will then take place on October 6, 2026.