Dar es salaam: Emergency responders in Tanzania conducted an After Action Review (AAR) following declaration of the end of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak on 2nd June 2023 in the country. The response to MVD managed to control the outbreak within the communities it was initially reported and end it within 90 days.

The ending of the outbreak was achieved through the leadership of the Ministry of health and support from partners.

After action review is a component of international health regulations monitoring and evaluation framework. Performing it enables a country strengthen health security. During the three-day session of the exercise, responders identified best practices, lessons learned and challenges during the MVD response.

Some of the best practices identified include quick activation of the response at the regional level enabled by the High-level Government commitment to comply with national and international regulations. The government maintained regular consultation and information sharing through regular partners’ information sessions, and situation reports.  This maintained partners’ confidence and sustained commitment to support the response.

Another enabler of an efficient response was timely disbursement of Government (MOH) fund for initial response.

The fact that the specimen was tested early at the mobile lab in Kagera and confirmed at national public health laboratory facilitated an early activation of the response.

In in managing patients, clinicians adhered to management principles which contributed to 75% recovery rate out of the four admitted cases.  The availability of well-trained healthcare professional including specialists, treatment guidelines and SOPs, medical equipment and supplies enhanced the comprehensive care to patients.

Despite the best practice the review also noted challenges and that must be addressed to strengthen emergency responses.  These challenges include late detection of initial cases including index cases, and referral of infectious cases from lower health facilities, limited adherence to contact isolation requirements by the contacts under home quarantine, inadequate space and functionality of the PHEOC in Kagera region, limited involvement of other sectors during the response due to lack of interest.

Additionally, the review observed that inadequate unified command at some points during response led to duplication of efforts in some instances.

From the best practices, challenges and the lessons learned, the experts recommended immediate and longer-term corrective actions for future response to public health emergencies.

A corrective action plan based on the outcome of the AAR was developed and shared with policy makers and high-level decision makers.

The corrective action plan will be used to mobilize resources and guide implementation and monitoring of corrective action towards strengthening IHR core capacities in Tanzania,” Emergency and Preparedness Officer.

“Despite a very successful response, we also encountered challenges. This meeting will develop corrective actions that will inform our effort to improve preparedness and response to future emergencies,” said Dr.  Mary Kitambi, Emergency Response expert from the Ministry of Health.

“Like during the response, this meeting has involved a broad selection of partners that collaborate with Tanzania in emergency preparedness and response,” said Dr. Faraja Msemwa, WHO Tanzania Emergency Preparedness and Response expert.

Apart from ministry of health and WHO, the review meeting involved experts from UNICEF, WFP, CDC, MSF, ECSA, Tanzania Red Cross Society and AMREF.