The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 20th May 2025 organized a workshop that focused on health data management and the sharing of research materials during public health emergencies.
The workshop was officiated by Dr. Loishooki Saitore Laizer, Director of Human Resources Development at the Ministry of Health representing the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Grace Magembe. Dr. Laizer emphasized the need for strong collaboration among researchers in responding to emerging and re-emerging diseases and health outbreaks.
“The BREEDIME project will help us build regulatory capacity that enables Tanzania to collect, utilize, and share research data that informs evidence-based policy making and accelerates decision-making processes both during normal times and in public health emergencies,” said Dr. Laizer.
He further emphasized that “Globally, data use and sharing have become crucial in addressing health challenges through the contribution of information to international databases. I urge all participants to remain committed to our national values, safeguard research participants and promote inclusive and transparent collaboration with both local and international stakeholders.”
Dr. Nyanda Ntinginya, NIMR Director of Research Coordination and Promotion representing NIMR Director General explained that the BREEDIME project began in June 2023 and it is structured around eight work packages that are implemented by various partner institutions.
“The project partners include TMDA, NIMR, MUHAS, KCRI, ZAHRI, ZFDA, and Rwanda FDA, along with international collaborators namely University of St. Andrews (UK) and the Karolinska Institute (Sweden). NIMR is leading Work Package 3 which focuses on health data management during emergency periods,” said Dr. Nyanda.
He added that through BREEDIME, Tanzania is building national capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies by strengthening clinical trial regulatory systems and establishing a research ethics framework for the storage, access, and sharing of health data and materials within and beyond national borders.
Dr. Nyanda also expressed deep appreciation to the Ministry of Health and the Government of Tanzania for their continued support in advancing scientific research, and extended sincere gratitude to EDCTP for providing the financial support to implement the project.
Also in attendance was Dr. Elisha Osati, Chairperson of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC), along with other key stakeholders including clinical researchers, regulatory officials, laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, and statisticians from both public and private institutions across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.
The workshop held in Morogoro, was organized under the BREEDIME project (Building Resilient Research Ethics, Diagnostics and Medicines Regulatory Capacity during Routine and Public Health Emergency Periods) aims to strengthen ethical research systems, diagnostic capacities, and medicines regulation to better manage both routine and emergency public health situations
