The Government of Zimbabwe has officially unveiled its National Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) Guidelines, a major milestone aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to detect and manage public health threats in real time. This development comes as the country continues to grapple with both existing and emerging disease outbreaks that have tested the resilience of its health infrastructure.
The launch event, held in Harare, marked a turning point in the nation’s public health journey. It was presided over by Dr. Aspect Maunganidze, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, who represented Health Minister Dr. Douglas Mombeshora. In his remarks, Maunganidze described the launch not just as a policy roll-out but as a renewed national commitment to safeguarding the lives of Zimbabweans from future epidemics and pandemics.
“This is more than a policy launch – it’s a declaration that the health and safety of every Zimbabwean is our top priority,” said Minister Mombeshora in a statement read on his behalf. The EBS Guidelines are designed to improve the early detection of disease outbreaks, facilitate rapid response, and ensure that Zimbabwe remains vigilant and prepared for health emergencies.
The EBS system works by gathering and analyzing informal information — such as media reports, social media posts, and community observations — alongside traditional surveillance methods. This enables health authorities to detect potential public health threats faster, even before they are formally diagnosed. It also enhances the country’s ability to manage unknown or unexpected disease events.
Minister Mombeshora, in his address, emphasized that Zimbabwe’s current health personnel and technological capacity are sufficient to handle sudden outbreaks, and with EBS in place, early signals could be acted upon swiftly. “With the current expertise on the ground, a potential outbreak could be brought under control by lunchtime,” he confidently stated.
Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, continues to face health threats ranging from cholera, typhoid, and malaria, to more recent risks such as COVID-19 and other zoonotic diseases. These challenges have exposed gaps in the health system, including delayed detection and response times. The EBS Guidelines are intended to bridge those gaps by creating a surveillance system that is proactive rather than reactive.
“We’ve witnessed a surge in unfamiliar outbreaks. The time has come to build a health system that listens, responds, and evolves quickly,” Mombeshora said. He added that building such a system requires not only local effort but strong collaboration with international and regional partners.
The development of the EBS framework was supported by several key institutions, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and other health and development partners. Their technical and financial input was instrumental in formulating guidelines that align with global best practices while remaining tailored to Zimbabwe’s local context.
“This framework is the result of collaborative work. Our partners have walked this journey with us, and their support continues to be invaluable,” Dr. Maunganidze acknowledged during his remarks. The Ministry also stressed that the EBS Guidelines should not remain a document confined to government offices but should be operationalized across all levels of the healthcare system.
From ports of entry and national laboratories to rural clinics and community health workers, the EBS system is expected to create a national network of real-time disease detection. Frontline health personnel will be trained to spot early warning signs and report potential threats using mobile technology and rapid communication tools.
The Ministry concluded the launch with a strong call for unity and action. “Let us move forward united, ensuring every Zimbabwean lives in a society prepared to defend their health – now and for future generations,” Mombeshora urged.
Public health experts have welcomed the launch of the guidelines, calling it a timely intervention in the face of growing global health uncertainties. In an era marked by climate change, increased human-animal interactions, and rising population movements, Zimbabwe’s focus on surveillance and early warning systems is being viewed as a step in the right direction.
With the successful launch of the EBS Guidelines, the Government now shifts its attention to implementation, training, and continuous evaluation to ensure the system becomes an integral part of national health security.
