Tanzania strengthens environmental surveillance to detect and prevent health risks with new pollution surveillance systems

Morogoro - Tanzania is strengthening it's environmental health surveillance systems to better detect and prevent health risks linked to pollution. In April 2026, public health experts from Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar convened in Morogoro to develop national guidelines for monitoring environmental pollution indicators that affect public health.

The initiative, funded through the Pandemic Fund, and jointly led by the Ministries of Health of Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, with technical support from WHO, aims to improve early warning, prevention, and response to health threats associated with environmental hazards.

Strengthening early detection and prevention

Environmental pollution is a significant contributor to both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. By strengthening surveillance of key environmental indicators, Tanzania is enhancing its capacity to detect health risks early, take timely public health action, before they escalate into disease outbreaks or wider public health emergencies.

The guidelines being developed will support health authorities at council level and points of entry, including ports and airports, to monitor risks related to water, food, waste, and air quality. The work also contributes to the implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) and aligns with national legal frameworks for public health protection.

A multisectoral approach

The technical working session brought together experts from government institutions, research bodies, academia, and operational services, including epidemiology, environmental health, laboratories, emergency preparedness, and port health services. Universities and authorities from airports and ports also participated, reinforcing the multisectoral collaboration needed for effective environmental surveillance.

Representatives from Zanzibar highlighted the importance of the guidelines for both sides of the Union, noting that environmental pollution risks are shared and require harmonized standards and coordinated action.

From guidelines to action

Once finalized, the guidelines will serve as a practical tool for Environmental Health Officers and public health practitioners, particularly at points of entry and local government levels. They will also guide laboratory testing and analysis of environmental samples, supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Researchers emphasized that the guidelines would help identify priority areas for further study. Laboratory officials noted their importance in standardizing the detection and interpretation of environmental pollution indicators.

"Strengthening environmental surveillance is a critical investment in prevention. Early detection of pollution-related risks helps protect communities and enhances national preparedness for future health emergencies," said Dr George Kauki, WHO Country Office Surveillance Officer.

Protecting health through prevention

This initiative is part of WHO's Strengthening systems for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in Tanzania project under the Pandemic Fund, to support he government of Tanzania build integrated disease and environmental surveillance systems capable of of identifying emerging health risks before they reach crisis point. This includes building capacity to identify environmental indicators that may signal emerging health risks and ensuring those risks are addressed before they lead to wider public health impacts.

It reflects a wider shift in global health thinking: that preparedness begins not in the emergency ward, but in the monitoring of the environments where people live, work, and move. Strengthening the link between environmental monitoring and public health is foundational to the country's resilience.