WHO and USAID hand over renovated isolation unit for early detection and prevention of public well being outbreaks

Kagera – The World Well being Group (WHO) with funding from the USA Company for Worldwide Improvement (USAID), has handed over a refurbished infectious illness isolation unit in Mutukula (a Tanzania-Uganda border group) to the Ministry of Well being within the Kagera Area.

The utilization of this unit on the One-stop border level is about to facilitate screening measures on travellers at factors of entry to forestall cross-border transmission of illness by detecting and prohibiting journey to uncovered or ailing travellers from affected areas.

“As a rustic bordered by neighbours, in addition to being identified for its inflow of vacationers, particularly in a busy border space like Mutukula, the isolation centre comes at an opportune time to strengthen our resilience towards future outbreaks,” mentioned Dr Samwel Laizer, Kagera’s Regional Medical Officer. “Thanks to WHO and USAID. With extra collaborations, we will obtain common well being protection in Tanzania.”

Like many nations, Tanzania has been responding to completely different rising and re-emerging illnesses. Key amongst these was the outbreak of the Marburg virus final 12 months which recorded six deaths. Due to well timed interventions from the Authorities, WHO and companions, the virus was curtailed inside 90 days. WHO has additionally been working with the Ministry to strengthen readiness and response to well being emergencies, with groups of first responders educated in the important thing points of outbreak preparedness and response.

The presence of this standardized unit on the level of entry is crucial by the Worldwide Well being Rules (IHR) obligations and proposals after the struggle towards Marburg geared toward empowering nations to forestall, put together for, and reply to public well being dangers at Factors of Entry (POEs).

This Mutukula isolation unit will strengthen Tanzania’s well being system in detecting, stopping, and responding shortly and effectively to public well being emergencies to avoid wasting lives. I need to specific our gratitude to USAID, for the well timed monetary assist. Many lives will probably be remodeled, and communities will probably be properly ready for any future emergencies or outbreaks”, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, Nation Consultant of WHO Tanzania.

The Mutukula Isolation Unit changed an outdated and dilapidated non permanent tent which beforehand served as an isolation centre and was repurposed for the administration of suspected instances. The brand new facility will play a key position in case administration and investigation to assist management group transmission.

“We’re honoured to witness the completion of this life-saving isolation unit, and we congratulate the Authorities of Tanzania for its continued efforts to arrange the nation towards future outbreaks,” mentioned Laura Chitterenden, Program Adviser for USAID/Tanzania.

This facility is without doubt one of the many interventions ongoing to make sure the strengthening of the well being methods in Tanzania to speed up the well being for all agenda.