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The Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud, along with researchers from the Amani Centre, participated on 15th February 2025 in the launch of the Amani Exhibition titled “AMANI Kukita | Kungoa.” The exhibition took place from 15th February and will continue until 9th June 2025, at the Museum Schwedenspeicher and the Kunsthaus in Stade, Germany. The opening ceremony was attended by Sonke Harlef, the Mayor of the Hanseatic City of Stade, NIMR Director General, Director of Museen Stade, Dr Sebastian Möllers and Director of Lost Art Foundation, the Tanzania based PI Dr Peter E. Mangesho, among other delegates. The exhibition is part of a collaborative project between NIMR and the Museen Stade focused on the historical context of the Amani Station, formerly known as the Biological-Agricultural Institute Amani (Biologisch-Landwirtschaftliches Institut Amani). This institute was one of the first in Africa, from 1902 to 1914, to conduct research on medicinal plants from local communities, extending its influence to global levels. The institute hosted a herbarium containing various important plants, many of which have either been lost or are now part of the current Amani biodiversity and nature reserve. Through this program, both parties are working on researching and documenting significant objects, artefacts, and plants from the Amani biodiversity belonging to NIMR and the establishment and strengthening of the first Medical Research Museum in Africa at Amani. Further to this, the goal is to develop and revive the herbarium at Amani Station as a foundation for initial medicinal plant research while also establishing connections with its Mabibo Traditional Medicine Centre and factory for further advancement in herbal medicine, which is important for public health. The ongoing exhibition at Stade also provides insights into the research process and invites visitors to critically reflect on the ethical questions associated with it. Plans to establish a similar exhibition at Amani are underway.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) hosted a delegation led by Dr Jerome Kim, the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for discussions on collaboration in clinical research and vaccine development. The delegation was received by NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, alongside Director of Research Coordination and Promotion, Dr Nyanda Ntinginya and Acting Manager of NIMR Mbeya Research Center, Dr Bariki Mtafya.The meeting, held on 10th February, 2025, at the Director General’s office in Dar es Salaam, focused on strengthening partnership in vaccine research that will contribute to advancement in healthcare both in Tanzania and globally.

In a significant move towards enhancing health research, the Director General of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Prof. Said Aboud, met with key health officials in Tabora and engaged in critical discussions with Dr. Honoratha Rutatinisibwa, the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) for Tabora, and Dr. Joachim J. Eyembe, the Medical Officer In-charge of Kitete Regional Referral Hospital. This meeting, held during his two-day visit to NIMR Tabora Research Station, focused on strengthening research infrastructure and fostering partnerships to address pressing health challenges in the region.Accompanied by Head of NIMR Tabora Station Dr. Calvin Sindato and Senior Research Officer Togolai Mbilu, Prof. Aboud emphasized the pivotal role of NIMR in coordinating health research across Tanzania. He highlighted the potentials for collaboration between the NIMR Tabora Research Station, the Regional Health Management Team, and regional health facilities. Prof. Aboud proposed targeted joint research initiatives, particularly with Kitete Regional Referral Hospital, which signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIMR. Key areas for cooperation include capacity building for healthcare workers, collaborative proposal writing to address local health challenges, and data analysis for improved decision-making and policy formulation.In her remarks, Dr. Rutatinisibwa underscored the critical need for collaboration with NIMR, particularly in outbreak investigations and evidence-based mitigation strategies. She noted the vast amount of routine clinical data generated across health facilities in the region and stressed the importance of analyzing the data to identify trends of diseases, monitor health interventions and enhance early detection of disease outbreaks. She reaffirmed RMO commitment to work closely with NIMR to support data quality improvement and effective disease surveillance mechanisms.Following the discussion with the RMO, Prof. Aboud met Dr. Joachim J. Eyembe at Kitete Regional Referral Hospital. Here, he reiterated the importance of NIMR expertise and the MoU signed between the two institutions, emphasizing key areas such as clinical management improvement, planning and research collaboration. Prof. Aboud also reaffirmed to support the hospital in maximizing the impact of the ongoing research collaborations particularly the five research proposals aimed at addressing local health issues.Dr. Eyembe expressed his enthusiasm for the growing partnership, referencing joint efforts that have already resulted in the development of several research proposals, including a study on eclampsia. He highlighted the hospital’s commitment to funding these initiatives, using 3% of its budget allocation for research. Dr. Sindato also spoke about NIMR Tabora technical support to the hospital, particularly in genomic sequencing and capacity building to manage better sleeping sickness and other regional health concerns. This visit marks a significant step towards enhancing the synergy between NIMR, regional health authorities, and health facilities, driving forward evidence-based solutions to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes in Tabora and beyond. The collaboration is set to grow stronger as both NIMR and local health institutions work together to tackle Tanzania’s most pressing health challenges.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) played a key role in the successful 9th Vector Control Technical Working Group (VCTWG) Quarterly Meeting, held from December 3rd to 5th, 2024, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Dar es Salaam. The event brought together experts and stakeholders from a range of sectors, including research institutions, government agencies, development partners, and higher learning institutions, all united in their commitment to advancing the control of vector-borne diseases, particularly malaria. As a leading institution in Tanzania’s health research landscape, NIMR was represented by nine of its scientists, including Dr. William Kisinza, the Chief Research Officer and Center Manager of NIMR Amani, who chaired the meeting.This gathering provided NIMR with an invaluable opportunity to engage with distinguished professionals and partners, contributing critical research expertise to discussions on best practices for vector control. The meeting was officiated by Dr. Catherine Joachim, Head of Programmes from the Ministry of Health (MoH), with Dr. Rashid Mfaume, Director of Health Services from the President’s Office, Local Government, and Regional Administration (PO-LARG), also in attendance. These distinguished guests, alongside 80 participants from Tanzania and international institutions, focused on sharing technical advice and reviewing evidence-based practices to combat vector-borne diseases. Academic institutions, including Sokoine University of Agriculture, Mwanza University, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMUCo), Mbeya University College of Health and Allied Sciences (MUCHA), and the University of Dar es Salaam, were also involved in the discussions, ensuring the latest research findings and innovations were shared across both academic and healthcare sectors. In her closing remarks, Stella Kajange, the PO-LARG Malaria and Vector Control Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the insightful feedback and recommendations shared during the meeting, noting that these would be forwarded to relevant authorities for further action. The VCTWG meeting provided a crucial platform for NIMR to continue its leadership in shaping the future of vector control in Tanzania, working alongside both local and international partners to tackle the challenge of vector-borne diseases in Tanzania and beyond.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has officially launched the PROTID trial at Muhimbili site marking a significant advancement in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes. The PROTID consortium is a collaborative network of scientists and clinicians from institutions in Tanzania (NIMR and KCMC), Uganda (Makerere University), as well as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.Sponsored by NIMR, the Site Initiation Visit (SIV) was officiated by NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, who emphasized the importance of such collaborative research and leveraging collective strengths. This partnership underscores our national, regional, and global capacity to conduct high-quality research that directly addresses the health needs of our population.The event at Muhimbili site brought together the PROTID Sponsor representative team from NIMR HQ and Mbeya, led by Dr. Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, the Overall Principal Investigator, alongside a team of new investigators from MUHAS, led by Prof. Muhammad Bakari, the Site Principal Investigator.The PROTID trial evaluates the efficacy of 3HP preventive therapy, a short-course treatment designed to prevent latent TB from progressing to active disease in people living with diabetes (PLWD), a group disproportionately affected by TB. Supported by @EDCTP2 and @EDCTP3, this collaborative initiative aims to advance innovative approaches to TB prevention and diabetes care, addressing the dual burden of these diseases and improving health outcomes across Africa.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 10/12/2024 in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) brought together partners from the Ministry of Health, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Tanzania and implementing partners to discuss findings from the national HPV vaccination evaluation. The discussion based on Coverage Insights, Community Engagement, Behavioral Drivers, Innovative Platform, and Next Steps for Strengthening community education, improving data systems and addressing funding gaps will ensure that more girls are protected against cervical cancer.In his speech, Assistant Director of Non-Communicable Diseases from Ministry of Health Dr. Omary Ubuguyu, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that “findings will highlight the critical need for targeted, evidence-based interventions.“ This workshop provides an invaluable platform for us to collectively discuss these findings, share experiences and develop actionable solutions. It is only through collaboration and shared commitment that we can achieve our goal of 90% HPV vaccination coverage and protect the health of our young girls.” Added Dr. Ubuguyu In his opening remarks, the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud, said that since the introduction of the HPV vaccine for 14-year-old girls in 2018, Tanzania has made commendable progress. However, as we stand on the cusp of significant changes in our immunization strategy including the adoption of a single-dose schedule, the multi-age cohort catch-up campaign, and the transition to vaccinating 9-year-old girls in 2025, it is vital that we base our next steps on robust evidence and a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.“I want to highlight that today’s event is not just about evaluating progress, it is about envisioning a future where every girl in Tanzania is protected against cervical cancer. This vision requires us to be bold in our decisions, strategic in our actions and united in our resolve.” Emphasized Prof. Aboud.MOH has successfully vaccinated girls aged between 9 and 14 years, with approximately 4 million girls in schools receiving the vaccine while 600,000 girls are from the community.Together, we are building a healthier future for Tanzanian girls!

Lecturers from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), led by the Principal of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Prof. Jefta Sunzu, visited the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) headquarters today, November 25, 2024. The visit aimed to discuss potential collaboration in teaching, supervision, and internship placements for students, as well as co-authoring publications and joint research projects.This initiative stems from the Higher Education for Economic Transformation (HEET) Project, which emphasizes partnerships between institutions to equip higher education students with practical skills and expertise in their respective fields.During the meeting, NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, highlighted the institute’s infrastructure, including internationally accredited laboratories and a team of experienced experts. He explained how NIMR can contribute to enhancing students’ knowledge and skills. Prof. Aboud also announced plans to review and strengthen the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIMR and UDOM to facilitate the commencement of this collaboration as soon as possible.On his part, Prof. Jefta Sunzu, Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at UDOM, expressed the university’s strategy to improve curricula by incorporating insights from various institutions, including NIMR. He noted that this process is nearing completion and will enable students to engage in practical training for over eight weeks, a significant improvement from previous arrangements.“We are very grateful to NIMR for demonstrating such a high level of readiness to work with UDOM in diverse areas,” emphasized Prof. Sunzu.This collaboration is expected to boost efficiency, enhance research education, and prepare skilled professionals for the future of Tanzania.

The Ministry of Health through the National Malaria Control Programme in collaboration with NIMR Amani Research Centre and Ifakara Health Institute (IHI), has conducted a refresher training on Malaria Vector Entomological Surveillance, with a special focus on detecting the invasive Anopheles stephensi.This one-week training, held in Ifakara, Morogoro from 18/11/2024 to 22/11/2024, brought together District Malaria Vector Surveillance Officers from 34 districts across Tanzania Mainland. These officers have been instrumental in malaria surveillance efforts since 2017, ensuring timely and effective responses to vector-borne diseases.As part of the program, mosquito samples are collected and sent monthly to NIMR Amani Centre for advanced laboratory analyses and molecular characterization, bolstering Tanzania’s fight against malaria.

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.