Strengthening surveillance to prevent hospital-acquired infections in Tanzania

As part of International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) core capacities, the Ministry of Health Tanzania is intensifying efforts to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) through the nationwide implementation of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) surveillance in health facilities.

From 10-18 March 2026, the Ministry is conducting a Point Prevalence Survey on Surgical Site Infections (SSI) in council hospitals across Ruvuma, Singida, Kigoma and Kagera regions. The survey will generate baseline data to better understand the prevalence of infections acquired in health facilities and inform targeted actions to prevent them.

Healthcare associated infections also known as nosocomial infections are infections acquired during hospitalization that were neither present nor incubating at the time of admission. These infections typically appear 48 hours or more after admission and can significantly increase complications, length of hospital stay, and treatment costs.

They include Surgical Site Infections (SSI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI), and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). In addition to affecting patient outcomes, HAIs contribute to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to increased and prolonged use of antibiotics.

In response to the burden these infections place on patients and the healthcare system, Tanzania has developed a national protocol for surveillance of four priority HAIs. The protocol has already been disseminated to all 26 public referral hospitals, while the rollout to council-level and private health facilities is ongoing.

Strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers to conduct HAI surveillance and report data through DHIS 2 systems is a critical step toward early detection, prevention, and timely response to infections. Facility-based surveillance enables hospitals to identify gaps in IPC practices, implement corrective actions, and improve quality of care.

According to the WHO Joint External Evaluation (JEE), Tanzania scored Level 3 out of 5 in healthcare-associated infections surveillance capacity, highlighting the need to further strengthen systems and generate reliable national data.

"This initiative marks an important step in strengthening infection prevention and control practices in our health facilities," says Miss Radenta Bahegwa, IPC Focal Person at the Ministry of Health. "By establishing a clear baseline for surgical site infections, we will be able to identify gaps, implement targeted corrective measures, and monitor progress over time. Ultimately, this will enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of care provided in our hospitals."

The activity is also closely linked to efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

"When patients develop healthcare-associated infections, they often require prolonged antibiotic treatment, which accelerates the development of resistant organisms," explains Dr. Janeth Masuma, IPC Focal Person at WHO Tanzania. "Strengthening surveillance helps us prevent infections before they occur and protect the effectiveness of life-saving medicines."

With support from the Pandemic Fund, Tanzania is strengthening infection prevention and surveillance systems to reduce preventable infections in hospitals and build a more resilient health system.