Kusa Mchaina

The five participating institutions from Tanzania (NIMR-Mbeya and Muhimbili University of Allied and Health Sciences), Mozambique (INS/CISPOC in Maputo), Uganda (MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit in Masaka) and South Africa (Verulam clinical research site) met in Zanzibar from 15th-17th January 2024. The meeting involved discussions on the recently released Independent Data Monitoring Committee results that required pausing of vaccinations but continued oral PrEP component up to trial completion. Additional discussions were held on planned final trial analyses, plans for unblinding and dissemination of trial results. Discussions were also held on the way forward beyond the PrEPVacc trial for each of the partner sites.

NIMR has conducted a 2-day training on 8th to 9th January 2024 to build capacity of early and mid-career research scientists on policy brief writing. In his opening remarks, Director General Prof. Said Aboud reiterated NIMR commitment to build capacity of early and mid-career research scientists in translating scientific findings to a non-scientific language that can be easily understood and used by policy makers to influence changes in policy, best practices and improve health care delivery services in the country. This is the second batch of trainees and a total of 15 research scientists from NIMR Centres and Headquarters attended the training. The training was facilitated by Dr. Sirili Nathaniel from MUHAS.

The NIMR Director General Prof Said S. Aboud through the NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Centre hosted Dr. Eliud Wandwalo, the Head of TB, Global Fund in Geneva accompanied MKUTA CEO Dr Willy Mbawala. Salient discussions were held regarding the role of NIMR in contributing to country efforts regarding the End TB strategy by 2030 which is within the next 6 years. The institution was highly encouraged to take a bold move towards generating evidence for novel point of care tests for TB that are feasible within local settings as well as strengthening laboratory related aspects for improved TB diagnosis and management. It was also an opportunity to showcase varied studies funded by the Global Fund at @NIMRMbeya. These included studies focusing on modified shorter all oral MDR-TB treatment, COVID-19 impact on TB services delivery, HIV early infant diagnosis and Post TB Lung Disease. Grateful for the commitment to making a positive impact and fostering collaboration for a healthier world.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) conducted on 29th December 2023 a user training workshop for stakeholders to orient them on National Research Ethics Information Management System (NREIMS) in order to create awareness of the system that evolved from the functionalities of the current system (REIMS) to accommodate all institutional research ethics committees in one platform for easy monitoring and regulation of health research in the country.In the opening speech, NIMR Director General Prof. Said Aboud, said the system will serve as a tool for harmonizing protocol review processes for all Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in the country. “Further, the system will be able to provide relevant information to COSTECH, TMDA and PO-RALG.” said Prof. Aboud. Furthermore, he assured the training participants that NIMR looks forward to continue with strengthening of health research regulations in line with global practices to ensure research is conducted following the principles laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and all regulatory requirements. The One-day training workshop organized by NIMR took place at the Headquarters and brought together 30 stakeholders from various institutions including Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices (TMDA), Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Agha Khan University (AKU), Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and Zanzibar Health Research Institute (ZAHRI).

NIMR through Mbeya medical research center has just completed an operational study funded by the Global Fund through NASHCoP, Ministry of Health (MOH). The study aimed to assess the impact of the family approach on the uptake of 3HP (3 months of weekly Isoniazid and Rifapentine) among people living with HIV. The center disseminated the study findings on 28th and 29th December 2023 in Dodoma to MOH, NTLP, NASHCoP, implementing partners, RACC and CTC staff who participated in the study. The NASHCoP Manager, Dr Anath Rwebembera, who graced the event on behalf of the Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Tumaini Nagu, commended the role of NIMR in generating research-based evidence that will inform on decisions regarding 3HP programmatic scale up in the country. Further, the NIMR DG, Prof. Said S. Aboud remarked on strengthening of facilitators of the family approach intervention in order to overcome anticipated barriers in terms of access to the new TPT regimen. Overall, the shorter TB preventive treatment (TPT) is acceptable to clients and providers and thus uptake and completion are relatively good compared to the six-month TB Preventive Treatment of daily Isonizid (INH).

Humoral Immune Responses following COVID-19 Vaccinations among Adults in Tanzania Humoral Immune Responses following COVID-19 Vaccinations among Adults in Tanzania. Download

The first analyses of data from the Phase 2b vaccine trial A-055 show that the tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate, H56:IC31, was well tolerated and demonstrated an immune response compared to the placebo in participants, all of whom had previously had TB. However, the primary analysis showed it did not provide protection against TB recurrence, reported Statens Serum Institut (SSI), IAVI and trial partners who are part of the Prevention of Recurrence (POR) TB Consortium today. Based on these trial data, SSI has stopped development of the vaccine. A supporting analysis points in the direction of an increased rate of TB recurrence among people who received the study vaccine (5.8%) compared to people who received the placebo (3.4%), although this cannot be concluded with certainty. Analyses are ongoing, including to understand whether people in one group were, by chance, more likely to get recurrent TB even before the vaccination. Press release: https://www.porconsortium.org/news/2023/early-results-on-the-a-055-por-trial

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) Tanzania leadership is thrilled to announce a multi-million-dollar research award to advance HIV vaccine innovation within the African continent. This assistance has been awarded through its Mbeya Medical Research Center which is known for conducting multiple HIV vaccine trials since 2005. This significant funding of up to US$ 45.6 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will foster local HIV vaccine development and testing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) including Tanzania.The awarded co-operative agreement went to a Consortium named BRILLIANT: BRinging Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory Research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology which is led by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and its President Prof. Glenda Gray, as well as leading scientists across the African continent that included eight countries: Tanzania (NIMR), Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa. The BRILLIANT Consortium’s research will focus on utilizing the existing capacity, scientific talent, ingenuity, and investments made in community engagement on research in SSA to advance the HIV vaccine field through supporting activities in the following five interrelated areas: – i) Design and implement early-stage clinical trials of HIV vaccine immunogens;ii) Test innovative pre-clinical HIV vaccine concepts, advancing the most promising candidates toward clinical trials; iii) Partner with civil society advocates, affected communities including those affected by people living with HIV and AIDS, policymakers, and communicators to advance SSA -led HIV vaccine science; iv) Conduct laboratory analyses on samples from trials and epidemiological studies; and v) Strengthen systems of collaborations for HIV vaccine research in SSA and increase opportunities to advance the careers of promising sub-Saharan African scientists, including Tanzania. NIMR is deeply honored to be part of this exciting initiative with corresponding appreciation to USAID for once again supporting such a strategic undertaking. We extend our gratitude to SAMRC and all other BRILLIANT consortium partners for their unwavering dedication and efforts geared towards securing this award and commitment to eliminating HIV. This award will accelerate health research efforts toward developing African-made, safe and efficacious HIV vaccines. Indeed, NIMR as a parastatal institution in the Tanzania Ministry of Health is very much committed to promoting the advancement of high-quality health research and innovative solutions including the fight against HIV and AIDS as part of our mandates in advancing health research as well as enhancing life both locally and internationally.

Brilliant Consortium has appointed Dr Nyanda Elias Ntinginya to serve as a member in the Executive Committee in addition to his role as the Lead in the Capacity Augmentation and Development through USAID VISTA award. Congratulations to Dr Nyanda for this important appointment in the Brilliant Consortium.

on 18th December 2023 NIMR conducted a manuscript writing training to early and mid-career research scientists in order to impart knowledge and skills and in efforts to increase publications output of the institute.Gracing the event, the Director General, Prof. Said Aboud said, to ensure that Research Scientists publish their findings. NIMR has set criteria for career development including setting individual requirements for staff quarterly and annual performances and for selection of best scientist each year. Prof. Aboud commented that NIMR implements a number of strategies to increase the publications output emanating from research works namely provision of training on scientific writing such as manuscripts and proposals, research methods, data analysis and rewarding of excellence in research. On average, NIMR publishes 200 papers in peer reviewed journals per year.“Further, NIMR DG urged all participants to use the two-day training efficiently to finalize their manuscripts and submit them to both local and international peer-reviewed journals for publications”. The training that was facilitated by Dr. Sirili Nathaniel and George Kiwango from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) took place at the NIMR Headquarters. A total of 31 research scientists from seven centers in the country attend the training in two groups from 18th to 22nd December 2023.