The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health is supporting government-led efforts to strengthen the International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities.

Mid-this year, WHO provided the Ministry of Health with medical supplies including hospital beds, personal protective equipment (PPE), patient monitors, office furniture and equipment for the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) in Zanzibar. The total cost of the donation was 95,657,500.00 Tanzanian Shillings equivalent to USD 41,992.

During the handing over ceremony, the WHO Liaison Officer, Dr. Ghirmay Andemichael, thanked the Ministry of Health and the Government of Zanzibar for their leadership and close collaboration with WHO and the UN reiterating that this will continue as the country strives to build its capacity to prevent, detect and respond to threats of infectious diseases including the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All actors need not be complacent, as the pandemic is not showing any signs of decline. Together we will defeat this pandemic,” said Dr. Andemichael.  He called on all individuals to adhere to the public health measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

The donation was received by the Director General of Health Services and Chairperson of the COVID-19 National Task Force at the Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Dr. Jamala Taib. The Director General thanked WHO for the continued collaboration and reiterated that the medical supplies and equipment procured will go a long way towards boosting the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services and effectively combat the pandemic.