The Ifakara Health Institute hosted a delegation from the World Health Organization's Universal Health Preparedness Review (UHPR) secretariat, which visited the Institute’s Dar es Salaam office for brief talks with the Ifakara Chief Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the crucial role that research institutions, such as Ifakara play in ensuring that Tanzania is well-prepared for public health emergencies, drawing insights from the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forming the three-member delegation were: Dr. Niluka Wijekoon, Dr. Luc Tsachoua, and Dr. Arisekola Jinadu from the WHO. They were accompanied by Dr. Azma Simba from the Ministry of Health.

The UHPR is a voluntary, transparent, Member State-led peer review body, that aims to establish regular intergovernmental dialogue between Member States on their national readiness for health emergencies.Both the mainland and Zanzibar governments in Tanzania have been involved from the start.

The UHPR secretariat, operating under the Prime Minister's Office and the Second Vice President's Office in Zanzibar, reviewed the country's risk profile to create a UHPR national report, set to launch soon.

Learn more about UHPR here 

Looking ahead to the upcoming report that will detail national actions in response to the review, Dr. Masanja, has affirmed the Institute's readiness to support the initiative and looks forward to strengthened collaboration among stakeholders for the good of the Tanzanian people.