Tanzania Directs Health Officials to Eliminate Cholera by 2026/27

Tanzania's government has directed regional and council health officials to eliminate cholera outbreaks by the end of the 2026/27 financial year as part of a national goal of zero cholera cases. The directive was issued during a four-day annual evaluation meeting on health and environmental sanitation held in Arusha.

The meeting reviewed progress on interventions at regional and council levels across mainland Tanzania.

Officials stated that reported cholera cases fell from about 12,000 to 700 last year. They said further deliberate efforts are required to reach complete elimination. Regional and council leaders were told to restart monthly sanitation campaigns at every administrative level, including regions, councils, wards, and villages.

2021 and 2025, handwashing facilities were built in 2,002 schools and 374 health facilities. The government allocated about 35 billion Tanzanian shillings in the current financial year to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure in more than 500 schools and health facilities.

More than 1,776 food producers and distributors were registered last year, up from 345 in prior years. Collaboration with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards has strengthened food quality control.

The meeting will assess access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services in households, schools, health facilities, and public spaces. It will also evaluate national WASH programme implementation. UNICEF said it will continue working with the government on water, sanitation, and hygiene services in health facilities, primary schools, and other public institutions.