Pemba Island, Zanzibar – The Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, in collaboration with the Public Health Laboratory Ivo de Carneri (PHL-IdC), a WHO Collaborating Centre, and with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), officially launched the fourth annual Pemba Summer School on Control and Data Analysis of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The two-week programme is strengthening the capacity of Master's students and early-career professionals from Tanzania and around the world with practical skills in tropical medicine, laboratory sciences, public health, and geostatistical data analysis to support the prevention, control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
The two-week programme brings together Master's students and early-career professionals from Tanzania and around the world to strengthen scientific knowledge and practical skills in tropical medicine, laboratory sciences, public health and geostatistical data analysis. Participants also gain hands-on experience through field activities that support disease control programmes in Zanzibar.
Opening the programme, Dr. Ndoungou Salla Ba, Head of the WHO Liaison Office in Zanzibar, reaffirmed WHO's commitment to strengthening public health capacity through partnerships, research and innovation.
"Together, with knowledge as our tool and compassion as our guide, we will ensure that no disease is neglected and no community is left behind," said Dr. Ba.
For more than two decades, PHL-IdC has served as a WHO Collaborating Centre, evolving from a focus on schistosomiasis control into a globally recognized institution supporting the prevention, control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases. Through research, technical cooperation, surveillance and training, the Centre has made significant contributions to strengthening Zanzibar's health system and advancing global efforts to eliminate NTDs.
During the visit, WHO joined officials from the Ministry of Health, researchers and students in touring the Centre's laboratories and observing field activities under the Schistosomiasis Control Programme. The delegation also visited the Zanzibar–China–WHO Ecological Snail Control Project, which uses ducks as an environmentally sustainable approach to reducing freshwater snail populations that transmit schistosomiasis.
The visit highlighted how research, innovation and cross-sector partnerships are contributing to sustainable disease control while building the capacity of the next generation of public health professionals.
WHO remains committed to supporting the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, PHL-IdC, academic institutions and development partners to strengthen the health workforce, foster scientific excellence and accelerate progress towards the elimination of neglected tropical diseases, leaving no one behind.
