Mwanza Capacity Statement
ABOUT NIMR MWANZA
The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) (www.nimr.or.tz) is a public research institution under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), established by the Tanzanian government through an Act of Parliament (number 23 of 1979). NIMR is mandated to carry out health research in Tanzania and promote the use of research findings for policy making and practice.
NIMR operates seven research centres and seven research stations spread across the country. NIMR Mwanza Research Centre is one of the major constituent centres, located in Mwanza city, on the southern shores of Lake Victoria.
The Centre was established in the early 1950s as the East African Institute for Medical Research (EAIMR) under the East African High Commission (EAHC), focusing on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) research. Since its inception, NIMR Mwanza has maintained an excellent track record in the research of schistosomiasis, STH, and other neglected tropical diseases. It has developed a well-established network of research collaborators both in Africa and beyond.
Currently, the centre employs about 40 research scientists and 20 technicians with diverse specialties, including parasitology, malacology, epidemiology, microbiology, molecular biology, clinical medicine, medical statistics, and social science. NIMR Mwanza is well-positioned to participate in major research projects, leveraging its extensive network of schistosomiasis study sites and sister research centres. The Centre has the capacity to support research initiatives not only in the Lake Zone but also across Tanzania.
NIMR Mwanza Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art research infrastructure, including GCP-compliant laboratories with modern equipment for sample analysis, storage, and archiving. It also boasts a data management unit that operates both electronic and physical data capture systems. The centre has reliable internet connectivity and is easily accessible by road and air from major East African cities, including Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, and Kampala.
The Centre works closely with the National Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Control Programme and the World Health Organization (WHO).
NIMR MWANZA CENTRE LABORATORY
NIMR Mwanza Centre has state-of-the-art, GCLP-compliant laboratories with modern equipment, providing critical support for schistosomiasis and STH research and control. The main laboratory is divided into three major sections:
- General Parasitology
- Malacology
- General Microbiology and Immunology/Molecular Biology
The General Parasitology Laboratory conducts routine parasitological tests such as the Kato Katz, formal ether concentration, and FLOTAC methods for diagnosing schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections. The laboratory also performs the urine filtration method for diagnosing urogenital schistosomiasis and the Giemsa stain method for diagnosing malaria parasites. Additionally, it carries out specialized tests such as PCR for diagnosing and identifying parasites and their vectors, as well as ELISA for detecting malaria parasites in mosquitoes.
Major equipment available in this laboratory includes:
- ABI thermocycler
- Dynex MRX microplate reader
- Vortex machines
- Eppendorf centrifuges
- Dri-blocks and freezers with various storage temperatures
The Malacology Section focuses on snail research, including sorting, morphological identification, cercariae shedding experiments, and snail packing, preservation, and archiving. The section also uses advanced molecular techniques, such as PCR, for the identification and characterization of snails and schistosomes.
The laboratory regularly conducts short courses in schistosomiasis and STH research, including topics on:
- Field surveys for schistosomiasis and helminth research and control
- Field and laboratory methods in malacology
- GCP/GCLP training
NIMR MWANZA CENTRE MALACOLOGY LABORATORY
The Malacology Laboratory at NIMR Mwanza Centre will be responsible for all research activities related to the proposed research project in Tanzania. The laboratory is part of the parasitic and vector-borne diseases research programme, led by Dr. Safari Kinung’hi, the Principal Research Scientist and Director of NIMR Mwanza Centre. Dr. Kinung’hi is supported by a dedicated team of scientists and technicians trained at the BSc, MSc, and PhD levels.
The Malacology Laboratory is fully equipped for both routine and molecular snail and malacological research. The lab also maintains a snail archive and a colony of Bulinus snails, which are used in experimental studies. An animal house is available for experimental schistosomiasis studies when necessary.
The laboratory is part of the main NIMR Mwanza Centre laboratory, which is designated as BSL-3 and is GCLP-compliant, with final accreditation to international standards in progress. It is supported by a network of general-purpose laboratories used for schistosomiasis and neglected tropical disease research and training. The parasitic and vector-borne diseases research programme maintains essential equipment, including field vehicles for snail species sampling and surveys.
The available equipment includes:
- Light and compound microscopes
- Freezers and refrigerators
- Cool boxes, sample bottles, and petri dishes
- Pipettes for infectivity testing
- Temperature, water, and pH meters
- Hand scoops, dredges, and protective gear (gloves, gum boots)
All these facilities will be made available for the project once funding is secured.
DATA MANAGEMENT UNIT
The Data Management Unit (DMU) at NIMR Mwanza Centre operates both physical and electronic data capture and management systems. The unit uses CSPro for data management and, for clinical trials, OpenClinica, a GCP-compliant, open-source data management system, is used. The DMU staff is highly trained in collecting data using electronic devices like PDAs, tablets, and smartphones.
The unit is supported by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit, which ensures the safety and security of the data with strong servers and guarantees data backup and accessibility.
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) UNIT
NIMR Mwanza Centre’s ICT unit provides comprehensive support to all other units at the Centre, including the laboratory, data management, finance, and administration. The ICT unit operates a local area network (LAN) with powerful servers and computers. Internet connectivity is available 24/7 through an agreement with Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL). Since December 2012, the unit has been connected to the national fiber-optic backbone, ensuring robust and reliable internet services.
THE LAKE ZONE INSTITUTIONAL ETHICS REVIEW BOARD (LZIRB)
NIMR Mwanza Centre hosts the secretariat of the Lake Zone Institutional Ethics Review Board (LZIRB), which monitors and coordinates health research in the Lake Zone and other parts of Tanzania. The LZIRB was established in 2010 and serves over 15 million people in the region.
The LZIRB consists of 12 members, including a chairman and a secretary, and meets monthly. Its primary role is to review, register, and grant ethical approval for research proposals from institutions in the Lake Zone, on behalf of the Tanzania National Medical Research Coordination Committee (MRCC). The LZIRB also monitors the progress of approved research projects.
FINANCE AND SUPPLIES UNIT
NIMR Mwanza Centre’s Finance and Supplies Unit is responsible for managing all financial and supply-related functions. These include maintaining financial accounts, managing project funds, preparing monthly and quarterly reports, and generating audit reports for the Tanzanian government and funding agencies.
The Supplies Section of the unit ensures the availability of research equipment, reagents, materials, and consumables from both local and international sour