title: Integrating Local, National, and International Stakeholders in Outbreak Preparedness in Developing Countries: Conclusions from a Conference in Mbeya, Tanzania.
abstract: A conference called "Outbreaks in Tanzania-Are We Prepared?" was held in Mbeya, Tanzania, on September 14 and 15, 2015, accompanied by a training workshop on infection prevention and control for local stakeholders from September 16 to 18, 2015. The objective of the conference was to revisit past disease epidemics and to reflect on the current status of surveillance and outbreak preparedness in Tanzania, including an overview of agents relevant to biosecurity. The conference brought together national authorities of Tanzania, regional public health representatives, people from research and academic institutions, and international stakeholders. Key findings of the event were: (1) although national frameworks for surveillance and preparedness exist, their implementation presents challenges, and local health structures need support in implementation; (2) the ability to identify and properly manage infectious diseases of public health concern is crucial in empowering the local health workforce to contribute to surveillance measures, which in turn allows for realistic risk assessments and management algorithms; and (3) in settings of limited resources, research activities acquire an additional responsibility toward national surveillance and capacity building and should be integrated into national epidemic preparedness plans. This event was the first of its kind in Tanzania, facilitating direct discussion among regional, zonal, national, and international stakeholders on surveillance and outbreak preparedness. The conference's conclusions are relevant to strengthening health systems in other low- and middle-income countries.
authors.forename: Guenter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Froeschl
authors.forename: Nyanda Elias
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ntinginya
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sangare
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lawala
authors.forename: Chacha
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mangu
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dobler
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Flach
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nsojo
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lennemann
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D003906:Developing Countries; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment