Dar es Salaam: The United Republic of Tanzania has been awarded a grant of US$25 million from the Pandemic Fund to enhance its national health security and pandemic preparedness capacities. In addition to this core funding, the initiative has mobilized US$7 million in co-investment and US$6.7 million in co-financing, bringing together technical and financial partnerships.
According to African Press Organization, the project is being implemented through the collaborative efforts of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), which are the three designated Implementing Entities. They will provide coordinated support across human, animal, and environmental health systems in alignment with the One Health approach.
Tanzania, which comprises both Mainland and Zanzibar, continues to enjoy steady economic growth, driven by its abundant natural resources and vibrant tourism sector. However, this growth is accompanied by increased risks, particularly zoonotic and cross-border disease transmission due to high population movement and porous borders. Despite a commitment by the government to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the country faces challenges in disease detection, specimen referral systems, laboratory capacity, biosafety, and early warning functions.
By 2027, Tanzania aims to have an integrated, functional disease surveillance and response system capable of effectively monitoring, confirming, and responding to epidemic and pandemic threats. With this investment, the country is reinforcing its ability to protect the health of its citizens and contributing to regional and global health security.