Zim launches national surveillance guidelines 

Source: Zim launches national surveillance guidelines – herald

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke-Senior Health Reporter

ZIMBABWE has launched the National Event-Based Surveillance (EBS) guidelines, an initiative designed to enhance the country’s ability to quickly detect, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks and other public health threats.

The launch marks a crucial step towards a proactive approach in safeguarding public health, empowering communities and ensuring timely data that leads to swift responses.

The guidelines were developed with technical and financial support from notable organisations including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.

Health and Child Care Permanent Secretary Dr Aspect Maunganidze, who represented Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora, said the EBS guidelines were critical in the evolution of Zimbabwe’s health system.

“Zimbabwe, like many of our sister countries across the continent, has not been spared from the devastating effects of disease outbreaks both known and emerging.

“These experiences have taught us a vital truth: In public health, speed saves lives. With EBS, we are equipping ourselves to act faster, communicate more effectively and coordinate more efficiently,” he said.

However, Dr Maunganidze cautioned that guidelines alone would not protect populations without proper implementation.

He called for enhanced collaboration to translate policy into practice, emphasising the need to reach frontline health workers who form the backbone of surveillance efforts.

“That means strengthening our laboratories, capacitating our call centres and ensuring rapid coordination across all levels of Government and community structures,” Dr Maunganidze added.

Government plans to build a robust, people-centred surveillance ecosystem through Public Health Emergency Operations Centres, toll-free hotlines and community engagement platforms. Dr Maunganidze urged health workers, traditional leaders and communities to actively participate in detecting signals that could indicate public health emergencies.

“Let this day be remembered not simply for the launch of a guideline but for the birth of a movement — one in which every citizen plays a role in protecting public health, every alert is met with urgency and every outbreak becomes an opportunity to strengthen our resilience,” he said.

Dr Maunganidze stressed the necessity of unity and determination, saying every Zimbabwean deserves to live in a society prepared to protect their health.

Ms Batsirai Mbodza, the Southern Africa Regional Lead for the Africa CDC, praised Zimbabwe for embracing a “One Health” approach in developing the EBS guidelines.

She highlighted the critical role of strengthening surveillance for early detection and prevention of public health threats.

“At Africa CDC, we firmly believe that early detection saves lives. Health threats know no borders — whether from infectious diseases or environmental hazards, the ability to quickly pick up signals and respond effectively is what stands between containment and crisis,” she stated.

UNICEF deputy representative Mr Daouda Diop commended Zimbabwe’s commitment to epidemic and pandemic preparedness.

“Surveillance is not just a technical intervention. It’s a tool to protect every child, every woman and every community from the devastating impacts of disease outbreaks,” he said.

He also pledged UNICEF’s ongoing support in operationalising the system, focusing on community engagement and capacity building.

WHO representative Dr Dester Tiruneh noted that the launch comes at a critical time as Africa faces over 100 public health emergencies annually.

He recognised this as the first time Zimbabwe has adopted and contextualised EBS guidelines specifically for frontline workers.

“Progress is being made in using proven public health interventions which have improved the prevention of outbreaks and reduced response times,” Dr Tiruneh added.

The launch of the EBS guidelines signifies a pivotal moment in Zimbabwe’s health system evolution, aiming to create a resilient environment where every citizen can contribute to public health protection.