Tech-driven surveillance boosts disease fight
DODOMA: THE government has intensified efforts to strengthen national disease surveillance systems, as part of a broader strategy to combat both infectious and non-communicable diseases and enhance the country’s capacity to respond to health emergencies.
Minister for Health, Mohamed Mchengerwa said in Dodoma over the weekend during a session with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS that modern, technology-driven surveillance is central to safeguarding public health.
He said the government continues to deploy advanced monitoring platforms, including the electronic Infectious Disease Surveillance and Response system (eIDSR), while also strengthening Public Health Emergency Operation Centres (PHEOC) to enable early detection and rapid response to outbreaks.
“In building a resilient health system, we are enhancing surveillance mechanisms that provide early warnings and support evidence-based decision-making,” Mr Mchengerwa said.
As part of preventive health measures, the minister noted that vaccines for 13 vaccine-preventable diseases are available nationwide.
By February 2026, more than two million children had been vaccinated, representing 95.2 per cent of the national target.
He added that monitoring of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has been strengthened through studies assessing risk factors and collecting data on conditions such as cancer to guide targeted interventions.
The government has also expanded public health education campaigns focusing on nutrition, environmental sanitation and healthy lifestyles as key preventive measures.
Mr Mchengerwa further highlighted ongoing efforts to improve the performance of key health institutions as part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing service delivery under the sixth-phase government.
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He said the Ministry of Health is strengthening major institutions, including the Medical Stores Department (MSD), the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) and the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR).
To improve access to medicines and medical supplies, the government has invested in MSD by expanding storage infrastructure through the construction of modern warehouses, aimed at strengthening the reliability of the national supply chain.
On health insurance, the minister said the government has supported NHIF by settling part of its outstanding debts, improving its financial stability and expanding access to healthcare services.
TMDA has enhanced its regulatory capacity to ensure the safety and quality of medicines and medical devices, while NIMR continues to generate critical research to inform policy and national health planning.
“We are empowering these institutions to remain strong pillars in delivering quality health services to the people,” he said, adding that the government will continue investing in digital systems, institutional capacity and skilled personnel to meet growing demands in the health sector
