MWE Correspondent
A team of health experts from Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office – TAMISEMI, UNICEF and TIP has conducted a special assessment of the health coordination system in Kilolo District Council as authorities strengthen preparedness for potential disease outbreaks and the effects of El Niño rains.
The assessment, conducted on September 25, 2026, focused on evaluating the council’s readiness to respond to health emergencies, particularly amid concerns over the potential threat of Ebola and possible disruptions associated with heavy rainfall.
Leading the exercise, Chipole Mpelembe, a team leader from the Prime Minister’s Office – TAMISEMI, said the assessment was intended to identify gaps and strengthen preparedness before emergencies occur.
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“We are conducting this exercise to reduce potential impacts. Prevention is better than cure, and if we prepare properly while the situation is still calm, it will help us avoid the consequences,” Mpelembe said.
She explained that the assessment was examining existing systems for coordinating health activities, the council’s level of preparedness, cooperation among health professionals and how information and directives are coordinated and communicated to relevant stakeholders during emergencies.
The exercise also seeks to determine whether the district’s health teams have adequate mechanisms to coordinate their response to potential disease outbreaks and weather-related health challenges.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of strengthening preparedness at the local government level as health risks can escalate rapidly during disease outbreaks or extreme weather events.
The assessment forms part of broader government efforts through the Ministry of Health to strengthen health emergency preparedness and coordination systems across district councils.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring that responsible authorities are equipped to take timely action and coordinate effectively when public health emergencies or challenges linked to adverse weather conditions arise.
