The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated medical equipment worth over TZS 112 million (approximately $44,000) to support Tanzania’s recovery from the recent Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak. The donation was officially handed over to health officials in Biharamulo District, one of the areas hit hardest by the deadly virus.
According to a statement released by WHO on Friday, the equipment includes personal protective equipment (PPE), diagnostic tools, hospital beds, and emergency medical kits. These supplies are aimed at helping the district restore essential healthcare services while preparing for future health emergencies.
The acting WHO Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Galbert Fedjo, spoke during the handover event and said the donation is part of WHO’s broader commitment to strengthening Tanzania’s capacity to handle outbreaks.
“This handover is part of a broader commitment to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response capacities in Tanzania. We are proud to stand with the Government and the people of Tanzania on the road from recovery to resilience,” Dr. Fedjo stated.
The medical support package was made possible through funding from the United Kingdom government via its Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The UK’s contribution not only provided medical supplies but also funded risk communication initiatives, psychosocial support programmes, and training for frontline health workers across affected regions.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Tanzanian government, Dr. Erasto Sylvanus, Director of Emergency at the Ministry of Health, thanked WHO and its partners for the timely assistance.
“This support comes at a critical time as we continue to strengthen our health systems and ensure our frontline workers are equipped to handle future health emergencies. We thank WHO and the UK Government for standing with us,” Dr. Sylvanus said.
Tanzania officially declared a Marburg virus outbreak in March 2025. The disease, which is in the same family as Ebola, causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is known to be highly infectious and deadly. The outbreak triggered an urgent public health response led by the Ministry of Health in partnership with WHO and other stakeholders. Through coordinated action, the outbreak was contained, and no new cases have been reported since.
Biharamulo District in Kagera Region was among the most impacted areas during the outbreak. The region experienced not only pressure on its health facilities but also trauma among health workers and local communities. The new donation from WHO is expected to play a vital role in restoring confidence in the local health system and improving response capacity.
Beyond emergency equipment, WHO’s support includes community engagement and training health workers to improve early detection of diseases and effective outbreak management. These efforts are part of a larger post-outbreak recovery plan to enhance resilience and preparedness in Tanzania’s health system.
The WHO emphasized the importance of continued investments in health emergency readiness, especially in countries like Tanzania that are vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as Marburg, Ebola, and other viral infections.
With the equipment now in place, Biharamulo District is expected to resume full medical services while maintaining preparedness for any future health threats. Local authorities say the supplies will be distributed to key health centres and hospitals to fill gaps left during the emergency phase.
Tanzania’s Ministry of Health also confirmed that additional support programmes are underway to rehabilitate affected health workers, raise public awareness, and strengthen surveillance systems in rural and urban areas.
This latest move by WHO underscores the global health body’s ongoing partnership with African countries to build stronger, more resilient health systems. The WHO has continued to offer technical, financial, and logistical support to help African nations respond to and recover from public health emergencies.
The Marburg virus has previously caused deadly outbreaks in Uganda, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania’s swift containment of the virus this year has been seen as a success story in public health response in East Africa.
