Kusa Mchaina

Due to the challenges of diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) in children, especially in collecting initial sputum samples, the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has developed a new method for detecting TB in children using urine and stool samples.This was highlighted today, October 18, 2024, at the 25th Annual Conference of the Pediatricians Association of Tanzania held in Mbeya, where various child health issues, including treatment challenges and service delivery improvements for children, were discussed.Speaking to the press at the conference, NIMR’s Principal Reseracher, Dr. Elizabeth Shayo, who represented the Institute’s Director-General, stated that NIMR conducts research to create scientific evidence used to improve health service policies and guidelines in the country.“As you saw today, NIMR presented several topics on pediatric diseases, especially TB, and the challenges faced in early diagnosis to ensure that children receive complete treatment,” said Dr. Shayo.Additionally, Dr. Onduru Gervas Onduru, Research Coordinator from the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program at the Ministry of Health, noted that they have several strategies to reduce childhood TB, including establishing TB screening units in every health facility.NIMR Mbeya’s Acting Manager, Dr. Bariki Mtafya, mentioned that TB diagnosis in children poses challenges, as many tests are ineffective due to the low bacterial load. Dr. Mtafya explained that NIMR Mbeya has been conducting various studies using urine and stool samples, which have shown promising results that helped the World Health Organization (WHO) develop guidelines to improve TB diagnosis in children using these samples.“This method has also been adopted here in Tanzania. We are grateful to the Ministry of Health and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, which has now started implementing these research findings by using urine and stool samples, enabling us to detect TB in children early,” said Dr. Mtafya.Meanwhile, Dr. Issa Sabi, the Chairperson of the Conference Organizing Committee and a Senior Researcher at NIMR, emphasized the need to reduce neonatal mortality by focusing efforts on children from birth up to one month of age, as this group faces significant challenges.At the conference, NIMR showcased its research work, modern diagnostic tools for detecting TB in children, such as the GeneXpert machine, and devices for collecting sputum and other samples from children. The three-day conference, which began on October 17, 2024, and is expected to conclude on October 19, 2024, has the theme “Foundation of Health, Improving Health Outcomes for the Child.” It brought together members of the Pediatricians Association of Tanzania and other stakeholders involved in providing care for children, including treatment and upbringing.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), through the PEN PLUS project, has recommended to delivering specialized services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in district hospitals across the country. The initiative aims to improve public health and reduce the burden of NCDs.This was stated today on 23rd September, 2024 in Morogoro during a workshop focused on sharing experience and findings from PEN PLUS project on NCDs conducted in Kondoa and Karatu districts. The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss recommendations for improving the implementation framework of the PEN PLUS project, which NIMR has been executing.Initial research findings have shown that the PEN PLUS project has enhanced the provision of NCD services at lower health facility levels, meeting the demand for early detection and treatment through community sensitization and improving the capacity to diagnose diseases at primary health centers.In his opening speech NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, highlighted that the PEN Plus project offers an opportunity to reshape how services are delivered at primary health centers, providing more support to the community level with a focus on prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and reducing the complications that often come with high costs for patients, families, and the Government.Prof. Aboud emphasized that if specialized services for NCDs are extended to district-level health centers and communities are involved through educational outreach, it will help reduce the costs and impact associated with NCD. “NIMR role is to conduct research, but the research findings are most beneficial when they can influence decision-making, policy changes and ultimately improve the health care services provided to Tanzanians” said Prof. Aboud.Prof. Aboud also urged the public to adhere to various interventions regarding NCDs including avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets, engaging in regular physical activity, and undergoing frequent health check-up.Additionally, Dr. Omary Mbuguyu, the Assistant Director for Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, and Injuries at the Ministry of Health, stated that there is a great need for these services at the district level as NCDs have significantly increased, especially among children including diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 1, sickle cell disease and heart diseases in children (rheumatic heart disease).Dr. Mbuguyu further noted that the initial findings have provided insight into the fundamental ways to successfully implement the project, including improving training for service providers, ensuring the availability of essential equipment for disease diagnosis, availability of medications, and community involvement to identify patients early and raise awareness of proper treatment follow-up.NIMR Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affair and the PI of Project Dr. Mary Mayige, explained that the main goal of the research was to address the challenges faced by NCD patients, including traveling long distances to seek specialized services that require more expertise in regional, zonal, and national hospitals.Dr. Mayige added that the preliminary findings show that more than 80% of referrals have decreased in health centers where the project has been implemented. This is due to the provision of medical equipment and the deployment of specialist doctors who provide services and training to doctors in these health centers.Dr. Heriel Zacharia, the Chief Medical Officer of Karatu Lutheran Hospital, expressed his gratitude to NIMR for selecting their hospital for the implementation of the PEN PLUS project, stating that they have greatly benefited from the positive outcomes of this research study. These include capacity-building for hospital doctors and assisting more patients in avoiding NCDs.Agnes Michael Eppa, a resident of Kinihhe, Karatu, and also a beneficiary of the PEN PLUS project, commended NIMR and the Government for recognizing the challenges of NCDs, especially for children, and for bringing services closer to district-level health centers. She shared how the project has helped her child, who was in a critical condition but she is now recovering well, with no limitations caused by the disease.The two-day workshop brought together researchers, trainers, policy makers, health professionals, officials from the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI), health facility representatives, and project beneficiaries. DrThe PEN PLUS project, under NIMR, is focused on researching ways to improve NCD service delivery in district hospitals.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) held today on 20th September 2024 a high-level policy dialogue meeting at Morena Hotel in Morogoro, aimed at strengthening HIV interventions in Tanzania. The dialogue focused in translating key research findings into policies that can influence changes, formulations, decision making and best practices in the control of HIV epidemic.The dialogue centered on nine key research areas, including integration of HIV care and depression, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and malaria services, introduction of point-of-care virological testing for pregnant mothers and breastfeeding women, HIV prevention in school going adolescents, increasing use and access to emergency contraceptives and its impact on risky sexual behaviours among adolescents.

NIMR-Amani Centre researchers, together with their partners from Stade Museum in Germany, today 12 September, 2024 presented the initial results of their joint research project, ” 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒍 𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒖𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒊 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒂𝒏𝒛𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒂”,to different national institutions, which include the National Museum of Tanzania, Division of Antiquities Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Amani Nature Reserve, Urithi Museum -Tanga, Goethe Institute, University of Dar es Salaam, among othersLaunched in May 2022 and extending until 2025, this project, led by researchers from the NIMR-Amani Centre and Germany’s Stade Museum, dives deep into the origins of ethnographic objects collected by Karl Braun at the Amani Institute from 1904 to 1920. The aim to uncover the historical and ecological impacts of the Amani Institute on local communities and the environment during the German colonial era.In his opening remarks, Prof. Said Aboud, Director General of NIMR, emphasized the significance of this project not just as historical research but as a foundation for a transformative vision for the Amani Institute’s future. He highlighted the ongoing renovations and future plans to establish Amani as a center for international and local research, tourism, and education, thanking all participants for their support and collaboration. The two-day workshop hosted at NIMR Headquarters gathered key stakeholders, including the National Museum of Tanzania, the Division of Antiquities Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Amani Nature Reserve, and more. Discussions covered the historical significance of these artifacts and plans to transform the Amani Research Centre into a major historical and tourist destination.Supported by the German Centre for the Loss of Cultural Property, this project promises to enrich our understanding of colonial-era ethnobotany and heritage. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore and reveal the rich history of Tanzania!

Katika jitihada za kuboresha huduma za afya kwa wananchi, Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) kupitia Mradi wa utafiti wa PENPLUS, imeboresha jengo la kutolea huduma za kibingwa kwa magonjwa yasiyoambukiza katika Hospitali ya Mji Kondoa, hatua inayotarajiwa kuongeza ufanisi na kuboresha matibabu kwa wagonjwa wenye uhitaji wa huduma za kibingwa.Akizungumza wakati wa kukabidhi jengo hilo kwa niaba ya Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NIMR, Mkurugenzi wa Taarifa na Kurekebu Tafiti ambaye pia ni Mtafiti Kiongozi wa mradi huo Dkt. Mary Mayige amesema kuwa, kupitia mradi wa PENPLUS wamekuwa wakitoa mafunzo kwa madaktari pamoja na kuwezesha Hospitali za Wilaya ili kuweza kutoa huduma kwa wagonjwa wanaohitaji huduma za ziada.Aidha Dkt. Mayige amesema kuwa katika mradi wa PENPLUS wamechagua magonjwa ambayo yanaathiri zaidi watoto kama vile kisukari aina ya Kwanza, selimundu, pamoja na ugonjwa wa moyo unaoathiri watoto (Rheumatic Heart Disease).“Kwa hiyo hawa watoto kwa muda mrefu wamekua wanashindwa kupata huduma hizi za kila siku katika hospital za wilaya kwa sababu huduma zao zinahitaji ubobezi kidogo, wengi walikua wanalazimika kusafiri kwenda Hospitali za Rufaa za Mkoa na za Kanda ili kuweza kupata matibabu, kulikuwa na changamoto kwa sababu ya umbali mrefu na watoto walikuwa hawawezi kwenda shule.” Ameeleza Dkt. Mayige.Akiishukuru NIMR baada ya kukabidhiwa jengo hilo, Mganga Mfawidhi wa Hospitaili ya Mji Kondoa Dkt. Ramadhan Lwambangulu amesema kuwa Mradi wa PENPLUS umesaidia kukuza uelewa kwa jamii juu ya magonjwa yasiyoambukiza na kuongeza uwezo na uzoefu kwa madaktari wa hospitali, hivyo ukarabati wa jengo hilo utasaidia kurahisisha utoaji wa huduma kwa wagonjwa.Ameongeza kuwa utoaji wa huduma hizo ni gharama kubwa sana hasa kwa mwananchi mwenye kipato cha chini hivyo ujio wa mradi wa utafiti wa PENPLUS umewasaidia wanachi kuepukana na gharama hizo ambazo ziliwafanya washindwe kupata matibabu.“Zile huduma za kibingwa ambazo angezipata katika hospitali za rufaa za mkoa na kanda anazipata katika Hospitali ya Wilaya kutokana na uwepo wa madaktari mabingwa ambao wanakuja kwenye kliniki ya PENPLUS, tunashukuru sana kwa hilo imetusaidia kuongeza hamasa kwa jamii yetu”. Amesema Dkt. Lwambangulu.Akizungumzia Mradi huo Mkazi wa Kondoa Mji Gema Aloyce Kilumanga ameishukuru NIMR kupitia Mradi wa PENPLUS kwa kuwaletea huduma za matibabu karibu na bila gharama yoyote kwani kabla ya ujio wa PENPLUS walilazimika kufuata huduma hizo mbali na kwa gharama wasizomudu katika Hospital ya Rufaa ya Mkoa Dodoma na katika hospitali nyingine za Kanda na Taifa. “Kabla ya hapa tulilazimika kupata huduma sehemu za mbali Dodoma, kutafuta dawa kwa gharama kubwa, lakini baada ya huduma hii kufika hapa tumeweza kupata huduma nzuri za vipimo na dawa na pia mwanangu alikua hawezi kucheza na wenzake, kwenda shule, alikua na homa za mara kwa mara, alikua mgonjwa wa kila siku, baada ya kupata huduma, mtoto huyu sasa hivi anaweza kusoma, kuendesha baiskeli, anacheza mpira, wingi wa damu ya umekuwa wa kawaida sio kama zamani, tunaishukuru sana NIMR” Amesema Gema Kilumanga Mkazi wa Kondoa Mji. Naye mkadarasi aliye karabati jengo hilo Christopher Kaijage amesema jengo hilo lilikuwa katika hali isiyokuwa ya matumizi, NIMR kupitia mradi wa PENPLUS wamewezesha ukarabati kama vile miundombinu ya maji, umeme, dari, kubadili madirisha na milango, kupaka rangi, kuweka marumaru, kugawanya vyumba na kuweka samani mbalimbali na sasa wamekabidhi likiwa katika hali ya upya na tayari kwajili ya matumizi. Jukumu kubwa laMradi wa PENPLUS ni kuongeza ufanisi na uwezo kwa Hospitali za Wilaya kutoa huduma za magonjwa yasiyoambukiza kwa wagonjwa wanaohitaji huduma za kibingwa zaidi kwa kuongeza vifaa, miundombinu, kutoa mafunzo na kuongeza madaktari wabobezi katika kutoa huduma za magonjwa yasiyoambukiza. 

Waganga na wataalamu wa tiba asili wametakiwa kuzingatia usalama na ufanisi wa dawa za tiba asili wanazozitoa kwa kuzipeleka katika vipimo vya maabara ya Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali na NIMR ili kulinda na kuendelea kuboresha afya ya jamii na kuepuka madhara yanayotokana na matumizi holela ya dawa za tiba asili. Hayo yamesemwa leo tarehe 31/08/2024 na Naibu Waziri wa Afya Mhe. Godwin Mollel katika Kongamano la Tatu la Kisayansi la Tiba Asili lilofanyika katika ukumbi wa Rock City Mall jijini Mwanza ambapo limewakutanisha watafiti, wataalamu wa afya na waganga wa tiba asili zaidi ya 300 kutoka sehemu mbalimbali nchini. Mheshimiwa Dkt.Mollel amesema Serikali kupitia mamlaka zake inaandaa mfumo wa kuwatambua waganga na wataalamu wa tiba asili ili wajulikane, wafanye kazi zao kwa uwazi na kufuata maadili na sheria za nchi.“Niwaombe wataalamu wetu ukishamuona mtu kwenye vyombo vya habari anaongea au anazungumzia dawa za tiba asili muiteni kwanza aeleze hicho anachokisema na akithibitishe na akishindwa muelekezeni aende kwa Mkemia Mkuu wa Serikali na NIMR, hicho anachokifanya kiangaliwe ili apewe ushauri wa kisayansi akikataa kuna vyombo vya kuweza kushughulikia” amesema Mheshimiwa Dkt. Mollel Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) Prof. Said Aboud ametoa wito kwa waganga wa tiba asili kufanya kazi kwa karibu na NIMR ili kuendeleza tafiti za tiba asili kwa lengo la kuwa na dawa zenye usalama, ufanisi na ubora.Aidha Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Tiba Asili Prof. Hamisi Malebo ameiomba Serikali Kuiongezea NIMR bajeti ya utafiti wa tiba asili kwa kuwa ina uwezo wa kufanya utafiti wa usalama na ufanisi wa dawa zaidi ya 100 kwa mwaka kama itawezeshwa na bajeti ya Serikali.Kongamano hilo la kisayansi la tiba asili huandaliwa na NIMR kwa kushirkiana na Wizara ya Afya na wadau mbalimbali hufanyika kila mwaka tarehe 31 Agosti likiwakutanisha watafiti, wataalamu na waganga wa tiba asili kutoka sehemu mbalimbali nchini na nje ya nchi kuwasilisha na kujadili matokeo mbalimbali ya tiba asili.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 10th July, 2024, launched a 10-day training on genomic surveillance in the cross-border ecosystem of western Tanzania. The training was conducted at Maweni Regional Referral Hospital in Kigoma. It targeted building capacity among the frontline healthcare workforce to timely detect and outsmart pathogens of epidemic potential and improve individual clinical management.In his introductory remarks, Dr. Calvin Sindato, a Health Epidemiologist and Head of NIMR Tabora Station, said that the training of the frontliners represents one of the objectives of the GREATLIFE project involving all the East African countries.Further, Dr Sindato said that the project targets to decentralize field-deployable, affordable, and mobile genomic surveillance technology to enhance risk-based mitigations against infectious diseases of epidemic potential, including antimicrobial resistance in clinical settings and environments.“Through the project, the genomic sequencing infrastructure of the health facilities in the cross-border ecosystem will be established.” Said Dr Sindato.The first cohort of 15 laboratory workforce trainees has been drawn from the Kigoma Regional Referral Hospital, Buhigwe District Council, Kasulu District Council, and Nyarugusu Refugee Camp while the training facilitators were from NIMR and Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute.

The State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) delegation led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohamed M. Haji visited NIMR Mbeya Research Centre from 9th to 11th July 2024 to familiarize with research activities undertaken by the institute. The SUZA delegation consisted of Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic, Research and Consultancy, Dr Ali M. Ussi, Dean of School of Health and Medical Sciences, Dr. Salma A. Mahmoud, Head of Department of Microbiology and Immunology Dr Seif S. Seif, Head of Department of Pathology and Biochemistry and Coordinator of Research and Publications – Degree level, School of Health and Medical Sciences Dr. Chukwuma J. Okafur and Research Coordinator – Diploma, Dr Saad M. Khamis in addition to the Vice Chancellor had opportunity to listen to various scientific presentations of ongoing projects undertaken by NIMR MMRC, paid a courtesy call to Songwe RMO, did a tour to Tunduma Health Centre which is now used as a satellite site to conduct LIFE2Scale study. The delegation had also opportunity to tour Tuberculosis, Safety and Immunology laboratories which have been accredited by ISO and College of American Pathologists (CAP) well as research clinic, pharmacy, specimen and source documents archive. During opening remarks, NIMR Director General Prof Said Aboud welcomed the delegation and expressed readiness to collaborate with SUZA in research and training. NIMR team included Director of Research Coordination and Promotion Dr Nyanda E. Ntinginya, Ag Centre Manager Dr Issa Sabi and Heads of Shedule namely Dr Lilian Tina Minja (Research programs), Dr Bariki Mtafya (Laboratory Sciences), Lwitiho Sudi (Safety and Immunology Laboratory), Dr Christina Manyama (Research Scientist) and Dr Lucas Maganga (Senior Research Scientist). The visit from SUZA comes after signing of MoU and a visit of NIMR delegation to SUZA in July 2023. NIMR Director General and SUZA Vice Chancellor reiterated their commitments to strengthen research and training collaboration between the two Institutes for the benefit of the people in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) today on 2nd July, 2024 conducted refresher training for reviewers on ethics in health research, from basic ethics principles to clinical trials and study designs, the discussions paved the way for better health research practices.The discussions are based on health research regulations, basic ethical principles, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), the review of clinical trial protocols, qualitative study design, quantitative study design, and cross-cutting issues related to the submission and review of health research protocols.The event serves as a crucial platform to refresh the reviewers on the issues that might improve the regulations of health research through the review process.In his opening remarks, the Director General of NIMR Prof. Said Aboud said the number and types of health research protocols submitted to NIMR for approval have increased, necessitating additional review to ensure that they meet basic ethical principles and are relevant to national and international health research laws, regulations, and guidelines.Additionally, Prof. Aboud mentioned that they have amended the existing guidelines, standard operating procedures, and other frameworks that govern health research regulations, and they have updated rules and a client service charter which is available on NIMR website as of 2023.“Moreover, we recently transitioned from old, lengthy, cumbersome, and tiresome review processes that required physical submission to a current operational Research Information Management System (REIMS), an online-based system that has facilitated the review and approval processes for health research protocols”, Prof. Aboud empasized.The two-day workshop took place at the Edema Hotel and Conference Centre in Morogoro. Participants were drawn from different institutions with diverse expertise and experience in health research who are potential reviewers and National ethics approval committee members for the research conducted in our country. LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA LABILA

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