The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tanzania, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, facilitated the development and technical review of a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on exit and entry screening at the Points of entry in Zanzibar.

The technical review activity engaged a total 13 experts from Port Health, Environmental Health, Occupational Health units, School of Health and Medical Sciences and Ministry’s focal person on Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The SOPs specifically applies to port health and border officers who deal with passengers/travellers at the Point of Entry, as part of support to the efforts of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in implementing the Preparedness and Response Action Plan for the COVID-19 Pandemic (April – December, 2020).

The technical review activity follows a request from Ministry of Health of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and responds to the recommendations made from an assessment conducted in April by IOM in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar with the financial support of the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom. IOM, as the Pillar Lead within the UN Response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Republic of Tanzania, assessed Zanzibar's preparedness and readiness for COVID-19, focusing on strategic POEs, health facilities in border health zones and referral pathways in Zanzibar in April 2020.

The development and review of SoPs on exit and entry screening at the Points of Entry aims to strengthen the surveillance at the Points of Entry to prevent and control possible importation and exportation of diseases and any public health risks in Zanzibar. In addition, the SOPs will provide quick guidance to port health and border officials to prevent disease transmission and contamination of the working and living premises by COVID-19, as well as effectively manage suspected and/or probable COVID-19 cases.

Furthermore, IOM in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar will facilitate mentorship and dissemination of the SOPs on exit and entry screening at the Points of Entry to all port health and border officials in Unguja and Pemba islands. “The results of the joint assessment between IOM and the Ministry of Health Zanzibar will contribute to filling the gaps and improving the COVID-19 response in Zanzibar,” said the IOM Chief of Mission in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Qasim Sufi.

For more information, please contact:

Dr Andrew William at wandrew@iom.int or tel.: +255754 663 910

Ms Sarah Abdalla at sabdalla@iom.int or tel.: +255679 869 099