US CDC hands over equipment to detect Ebola at entry points

Dar es Salaam. The American government through Center for Diseases Control and Prevention   (CDC) has on Saturday October 29, handed over digitalised equipment to help Tanzania improve surveillance of diseases at ports of entry.

The equipment worth Sh 181 million will be deployed at seven entry point some including Namanga, Horohoro, Rusumo, Kabanga, and Dar es Salaam port.

The equipment includes desktop computers, laptops, UPS for desktop computers, tablets, printers, tables, chairs, booths, stabilizers, extension cables, and Wi-Fi routers.

Managment Development for Heath (MDH) chief executive officer Dr David Sando said that through CDC funds they will continue to support the government’s development and maintenance of surveillance systems as per ministry of health requirements and guidelines.

“We have donated the equipment because Tanzania is surrounded by many countries therefore posing a risk of transmitted diseases. The system will detect monkey pox, Covid-19, Ebola and other emerging diseases,” he said.

National Institute for Medical Research (NMIR) director general Prof Saidi Aboud said that Tanzania like many other countries is at risk of spread infectious diseases due to her geographical position.

“Point of entry remains potential routes for spread infectious diseases therefore the equipment has come at the right time,” he said.

Ministry of health, director of ICT Mr Sillvanus Ilomo stressed that the government had shortage of such equipment, therefore, it will help improve national response on surveillance of disease, tracing and detecting other emerging ailments.