EAC launches third phase of mobile labs project to bolster regional disease outbreak

Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has launched the third phase of its Mobile Laboratory Project, a flagship health security initiative aimed at enhancing the region’s capacity to detect, diagnose, and respond to high-risk infectious disease outbreaks such as Mpox, Ebola, Marburg, and COVID-19.

The €30 million initiative, funded by the Government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW) and implemented in collaboration with the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), was unveiled on Friday, May 9, 2025, in Arusha.

The latest rollout includes the deployment of an advanced mobile diagnostic lab to Tanzania, significantly boosting the country’s frontline disease surveillance and response capability.

EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva said the mobile labs are a key tool in the region’s efforts to build resilient, decentralised public health systems—particularly in border regions where cross-border disease transmission risks are highest.

“These mobile laboratories enable EAC partner states to detect and respond to outbreaks faster. Results can now be processed within 24 hours of sample collection, a critical factor in containing deadly diseases,” said Ms. Nduva. “We are proud to launch this third phase in partnership with Germany, and we welcome further support from other development partners.”

The new phase focuses on bolstering outbreak response capacity, with particular attention to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Mpox continues to pose a severe health threat. According to EAC data, the disease has infected more than 16,800 people and caused over 500 deaths in the country.

Currently, six EAC partner states have received mobile laboratories, but gaps remain. Nduva noted that efforts are underway to bring Somalia onboard as the region moves toward universal coverage. “Demand for these facilities is high. Even among recipient countries, vast border areas remain underserved,” she said.

EAC Council of Ministers Chairperson and Kenyan Minister Beatrice Askul Moe underscored the importance of border health infrastructure, citing the region’s extensive human and livestock mobility.

“Well-protected borders are essential for safeguarding public health and enabling continued economic interaction. However, equipment shortages continue to limit what we can achieve,” she said.

Germany’s commitment to regional health security was echoed by Julia Kronberg, Head of EAC Cooperation at the German Embassy in Tanzania, who noted that the partnership has contributed over €30 million to the initiative since its inception.

“Strong public health systems underpin not only human well-being but also economic resilience,” she said. “We believe that healthy citizens are the cornerstone of a strong economy, and we are proud to walk this journey with the EAC.”

Deputy Minister for Health Dr. Godwin Mollel, who received the mobile lab on behalf of the Tanzanian government, hailed the initiative as a timely boost to national health preparedness.

“This laboratory strengthens our ability to respond swiftly to potential outbreaks and ensures that our people are healthier and more productive. It is a valuable addition to our national response framework,” he said.

The mobile labs are equipped with cutting-edge diagnostics and serve as part of a wider strategy to decentralise epidemic response and safeguard the EAC’s growing population—now estimated at over 333 million people.

As global health challenges become increasingly complex, the EAC-German partnership offers a model for regional collaboration that is both proactive and people-centred.