The United Republic of Tanzania has taken an important step toward strengthening its emergency preparedness and response systems by conducting a week-long induction training for Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) in Zanzibar. The initiative marks the formal start of efforts to build a nationally coordinated, rapidly deployable medical response team capable of addressing public health emergencies and disasters. It reflects the government’s continued commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of citizens by ensuring the country is better prepared to respond quickly and effectively when crises arise.
The training has brought together responders from both national and subnational levels, including representatives from ministries, government departments and agencies, health institutions, and partner organizations. With financial support from the Pandemic Fund, technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), and contributions from other partners, the programme is designed to establish a national EMT that can meet international standards. The goal is to create a well-trained, self-sufficient team that can be mobilized rapidly and operate in a coordinated manner during emergencies.
Tanzania’s decision to strengthen its EMT capacity is rooted in recent experience. In the past few years, the country has had to respond to multiple public health threats, including cholera outbreaks, Marburg virus disease, humanitarian emergencies, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These events highlighted the importance of having strong national systems that can detect threats early, respond effectively, and support recovery afterward. The EMT initiative is therefore part of a broader effort to improve national health security and ensure that the country can manage a wide range of health risks more efficiently in the future.
The programme is aligned with Tanzania’s wider health security and health system priorities. Specifically, it supports implementation of the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and is consistent with the Health Sector Strategic Plan V, both of which aim to build a more resilient, people-centred health system. By embedding the EMT initiative within these national frameworks, Tanzania is linking emergency response capacity with long-term health system strengthening, rather than treating it as a stand-alone intervention.
During the opening session, Dr. Amour Mohammed, Director General of the Ministry of Health Zanzibar, welcomed participants from both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, along with development partners and newly inducted EMT members. He emphasized that Emergency Medical Teams play a critical frontline role in effective disaster response. He stressed that building a well-trained and self-sufficient team is essential to ensuring that Tanzania’s emergency response is clinically effective, logistically prepared, and mentally resilient. He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to establishing a fully equipped and deployment-ready EMT that can respond to a wide range of crises, from disease outbreaks to chemical incidents and mass-casualty events.
Representing the Chief Medical Officer for Mainland Tanzania, Dr. Joseph Hokororo highlighted the progress the country has made since first committing to the establishment of a national EMT, including the development of a national roadmap. He described the induction training as a major milestone in that journey and said the expectation is for the team to become ready to respond to all hazards. He also emphasized continued collaboration with partners and expressed confidence in the expertise and dedication of the selected EMT members to manage public health emergencies effectively.
On behalf of WHO, Dr. Galbert Fedjo, Health Systems Coordinator, reaffirmed the organization’s long-term support for Tanzania’s EMT development process. He explained that the intensive training is intended to move health professionals toward full deployment readiness, equipping them to respond not only to disease outbreaks such as cholera, but also to flooding, cross-border health emergencies, and other complex crises. WHO also pledged to continue supporting the country beyond training, including on governance systems, standard operating procedures, and the eventual classification of the EMT according to international benchmarks.
As health emergencies around the world become more frequent, interconnected, and complex, Tanzania’s proactive action shows a strong commitment to improving national health security. The EMT induction training in Zanzibar is more than just a technical workshop—it represents a concrete investment in a stronger, faster, and more resilient emergency response system. By building a capable national medical team that can be deployed when needed, Tanzania is positioning itself to better protect communities, reduce the impact of future crises, and save lives across the country.
