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.