This week, the  Advanced Biological Waste Management Course has officially commenced in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, bringing together 21 certified Level I biosafety and biosecurity professionals from 14 African countries under the Africa CDC Regional Training and Certification Program for Biosafety and Biosecurity Professionals.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Owen Mundigile, Biorisk Manager at Tanzania’s National Public Health Laboratory, emphasized that effective biological waste management is a critical investment in resilient health systems and public health security.

Representing the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), Dr. Julie Ndasi highlighted the programme’s commitment to strengthening not only technical knowledge, but also practical skills, leadership, and institutional capacity. She noted that while many participants have completed Level I training, none have yet achieved full Level II certification. This course has therefore been designed to strengthen practical competencies, provide mentorship, and support participants in completing improvement projects and competency requirements necessary for Level II certification.

Speaking on behalf of Africa CDC, Ms Idosie Kenfack encouraged participants to use the training as an opportunity for collaboration and shared learning to strengthen health security across the continent.

Over the next five days, participants will advance their expertise in biological waste management, receive targeted mentorship, and work toward Level II certification. Hosted by Tanzania’s Ministry of Health through the National Public Health Laboratories and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity for the Eastern Region, the training reflects Africa’s continued commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats.

Hosted by Tanzania’s Ministry of Health through the National Public Health Laboratories (NPHL) and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity, the training reflects Africa’s continued commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of preventing, detecting, and responding to biological threats.