WHO Tanzania is working with the Ministries of Health in mainland Tanzania and in Zanzibar to build the capacity of health workers on clinical care, improving infection prevention, laboratory testing and other prevention measures, augmenting their knowledge of infectious disease control in the context of Ebola.
A total of 182 facilities have been designated to be able to isolate and treat COVID-19 in all district councils. The government has also identified 26 regional referral facilities to be repurposed and made ready to provide critical care. Most of the referral facilities already have staff trained in advanced care for Ebola, which included critical care. COVID-19-specific training helped plug any knowledge gaps.
More health workers have been trained through sessions organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations.
An influenza sentinel surveillance system has also been established.
The government has intensified public health education, working with WHO, UNICEF, religious leaders and telecommunications firms to provide facts and debunk rumours about COVID-19.
Read the full story: Drawing on Ebola readiness to tackle COVID-19