Kusa Mchaina

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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The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in collaboration with the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI) on 13th June 2024 launched the GREAT-LIFE (Linking Infectious Disease Front-liners’ Control Efforts with Central Public Health Authorities in the African Great Lakes Region) Project in Kigoma region which will strengthen the country capacity to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), early detection and timely response against the threats of infectious pathogens of epidemic potential. The launching event was graced by Hon. CGF (rtd) Thobias Andengenye, the Regional Commissioner for Kigoma. In his opening remarks, Hon. Andengenye said that the project has come at an opportune time when the risk and threats of infectious disease outbreaks are on the increase. He was glad to note that the project will improve clinical care of patients, enhance early detection of pathogens of epidemic potential through genomic surveillance and address challenges related to an ever-increasing AMR in the cross-border ecosystem, which is driven by several factors including irrational use of antibiotics and self-medication practices.In his welcoming remarks, the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud assured the delegates that the institute in collaboration with the KCRI and other project partners will ensure that the GREAT-LIFE project implementation in Kigoma is a success. The Kigoma region will be a model for other regions in the country to learn on how integration of genomics in the routine healthcare service is an important tool for infectious diseases surveillance and case management. Further, Prof. Aboud said the project will ensure that the required skills particularly on applying genomics in improving clinical care and supporting the efforts to fight AMR in the region are acquired and applied by the front-liner healthcare service providers. Additionally, Dr. Tolbert Sonda, a genomic and bioinformatic specialist from KCRI, highlighted the strategic decentralization of the Nanopore Sequencing technology in strengthening laboratory capacities for detecting AMR and pathogens of epidemic potential in the cross-border ecosystem. The event took place at Sunset Vista Hotel in Kigoma region. It brought together delegates from the Ministry of Health, Regional Medical Officer, Regional Laboratory Coordinator, Regional Coordinator for Epidemiology & Surveillance, District Medical Officers, District Laboratory Coordinators, the incharge of Nyarugusu Health Centre from Nyarugusu Refugees Camp and delegates from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kasulu offices.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 14th June, 2024 conducted user acceptance test (UAT) workshop to test validity of the National Research Ethics Information Management System (NREIMS) as a tool for the online health research protocol review and approval at both the National and Institutional levels of ethics clearance processes in one portal.In his opening remarks, on behalf of NIMR Director General, the Director of Research Coordination and Promotion, Dr Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, said NREIMS is one of the hallmark achievements of NIMR and all stakeholders of health research regulation in Tanzania. Additionally, Dr. Ntinginya emphasized that during the workshop participants should be able to navigate throughout the system and learn the functionalities of this multi-IRB health research clearance system hence the name National Research Ethics Information Management System. Further, he urged participants to be keen during the workshop to learn, validate and identify challenges if any so that they can be fixed immediately before the acceptance of the system.Furthermore, NIMR Principal Research Officer and Co-PI of the EDCTP funded project namely the Consortium for Clinical Research and Ethics Capacity in the Eastern Africa Region (CCRREEA), Dr. Mwanaidi Kafuye, said that NREIMS is the main deliverables of the CCRREEA project in Tanzania.The workshop took place at NIMR headquarters. The workshop brought together NatHREC Secretariat that included administrators, reviewers, researchers, ICT personnel and management for purpose of testing the validity of the system

Staff of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 3rd June 2024 congratulated NIMR Director General, Professor Said Aboud, for receiving two consecutive prestigious awards namely 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 on 30th May 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe and 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 on 31st May 2024 in Tanga, Tanzania.We are incredibly proud of Professor Said Aboud for his remarkable achievements and for elevating NIMR’s reputation both nationally and internationally, his commitment and leadership are truly inspiring.Join us in celebrating Professor Aboud! We are honored to have such a capable and distinguished leader.

At the forefront of innovative research initiatives stands the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), spearheaded by Professor Said Aboud, Director General of the institute. Recently, NIMR made waves in the scientific community with the introduction of a groundbreaking project aimed at revolutionizing the study of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through mobile phone surveys. Professor Said Aboud’s visionary leadership has propelled NIMR into the vanguard of healthcare innovation. Under his guidance, the institute has embraced technological advancements to tackle pressing health challenges, with a particular focus on NCDs. Through his steadfast commitment to excellence and forward-thinking approach, Professor Said Aboud has set the stage for transformative research endeavors at NIMR. One of the key figures driving this paradigm shift is Dr. Mary Mayige, the Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affairs at NIMR. With her expertise and passion for advancing medical knowledge, Dr. Mayige has played a pivotal role in shaping NIMR’s research agenda, particularly in the realm of NCDs. Her dedication to methodological rigor and commitment to inclusivity have been instrumental in propelling NIMR’s Mobile Phone Survey Initiative forward. The integration of mobile phone surveys into NIMR’s research portfolio marks a significant milestone in the institute’s quest to unravel the complexities of NCDs. By leveraging the ubiquity of mobile phones, NIMR aims to gather real-time data on disease prevalence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes. This innovative approach not only enhances the efficiency of data collection but also fosters greater inclusivity by engaging diverse populations in research endeavors. Dr. Mayige’s expertise in research methodology and data analysis has been invaluable in driving the success of this initiative. Her tireless efforts to ensure the reliability and validity of research findings have cemented NIMR’s reputation as a leader in NCD research. Through her collaborative approach and unwavering dedication to scientific excellence, Dr. Mayige continues to inspire meaningful advancements in healthcare at NIMR. As NIMR forges ahead with its Mobile Phone Survey Initiative, collaboration remains paramount. By partnering with healthcare institutions, technology experts, and community stakeholders, NIMR aims to amplify the impact of its research endeavors and catalyze positive change in the fight against NCDs. Together, Professor Said Aboud, Dr. Mary Mayige, and the entire NIMR team stand poised to unlock new frontiers in NCD studies, paving the way for healthier communities and a brighter future for all.