The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has called for a bold expansion of the One Health approach to address both communicable and non communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa during the 10th East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC), where the Tanzanian delegation was led by NIMR Director General Prof. Said Aboud and included a keynote address by Dr. Calvin Sindato, Principal Public Health Researcher and Head of NIMR Tabora Research Station. Prof. Said Aboud also sits as a Commissioner of East Africa Health Research Commission. The Conference Held in Juba from June 25–27, the regional gathering attracted research scientists, policymakers, and practitioners from all eight East African Community (EAC) member states, as well as international partners. The conference theme was “Addressing Health Priorities and Advancing the East African Region Health Agenda to Meet Global Health Targets.”In his keynote, Dr. Sindato stressed that the traditional focus of the One Health approach on zoonotic diseases is no longer sufficient. He advocated for a comprehensive strategy that integrates the growing burden of NCDs, driven by climate change and lifestyle factors, into national and regional public health responses.“Communicable diseases and NCDs are increasingly interconnected,” said Dr. Sindato. “The government and society approach is essential for effective prevention and control.”He called for stronger multi-sectoral collaboration spanning from animal health, environment, education, agriculture, finance, urban planning, civil society, and the private sectorbuild resilient health systems capable of responding to complex health challenges.Dr. Sindato also highlighted the potential of digital tools and community-led innovations, including mobile platforms, digital surveillance systems, and participatory disease monitoring, as critical to early detection and rapid response. He proposed a joint regional mission to prioritize both epidemic-prone infectious diseases and high-impact NCDs.Among the key challenges he outlined were: limited public awareness of the One Health concept, inadequate funding, fragmented data systems, weak multisectoral coordination, and the neglect of NCDs in many One Health strategies. He offered practical solutions tailored to the region’s capacities and stressed the importance of leveraging East Africa’s growing political will, digital infrastructure, and institutional frameworks.NIMR’s participation reaffirmed Tanzania’s strong commitment to regional collaboration and scientific leadership. Under Prof. Aboud leadership, NIMR continues to spearhead research that informs health policy, strengthens disease prevention, and enhances public health systems in Tanzania and across the East Africa region.

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), Prof. Said Aboud, amewapongeza watumishi wa NIMR kwa kufanya kazi kwa bidii, weledi, uwajibikaji na uadilifu. Vilevile, ameipongeza timu ya maandalizi ya NIMR kwa kufanikisha maonesho yenye mafanikio makubwa katika Maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Utumishi wa Umma 2025. Prof. Aboud ametoa pongezi hizo leo tarehe 22 Juni 2025, alipotembelea banda la NIMR katika viwanja vya Chinangali Park jijini Dodoma ambako maadhimisho hayo yanaendelea kufanyika. “Watumishi wenzangu, tuendelee kufanya kazi kwa kuzingatia sheria, taratibu, kanuni na miongozo ya Serikali. Tuuishi uadilifu kwa vitendo” amesema Prof. Aboud. Banda la NIMR limeendelea kutoa huduma mbalimbali kwa wananchi, ikiwemo elimu kuhusu tafiti za afya na kuhamasisha matumizi ya bidhaa za tiba asili zinazozalishwa na kituo cha NIMR Mabibo. Banda hilo  limeendelea kuvutia watu wa kada mbalimbali, wakiwemo wananchi wa kawaida, wanafunzi, watumishi wa umma na viongozi wa Serikali. Maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Utumishi wa Umma ni jukwaa maalumu linalowezesha taasisi za umma kuonesha huduma wanazotoa kwa wananchi pamoja na mafanikio yaliyopatikana. Pia ni fursa ya kuhamasisha uwajibikaji, weledi na utoaji wa huduma bora kwa umma.

Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), Prof. Said Aboud, tarehe 21 Juni 2025, amefanya ziara ya kikazi katika Kituo cha Utafiti cha NIMR Tabora, kwa lengo la kukagua maendeleo ya miradi ya miundombinu na kuhimiza uboreshaji wa mazingira ya kazi kwa ajili ya kuongeza ufanisi na tija katika tafiti.Katika ziara hiyo ya siku moja, Prof. Aboud amepokea taarifa ya maendeleo kutoka kwa Mkuu wa Kituo hicho, Dkt. Calvin Sindato, kuhusu miradi inayoendelea ikiwemo ukarabati wa jengo la utawala na ujenzi wa uzio wa kuzunguka kituo kwa ajili ya kuimarisha ulinzi na kuboresha mazingira ya kazi. Baada ya maelezo hayo, Prof. Aboud alitembelea eneo la ujenzi na kujionea hatua ya utekelezaji wa miradi hiyo.Akizungumza na watumishi wa kituo hicho, Prof. Aboud alisema kuwa uboreshaji wa miundombinu ni sehemu ya mkakati wa kitaasisi wa kukifanya Kituo cha Tabora kuwa miongoni mwa vituo vya mfano nchini katika utoaji wa suluhisho la changamoto za kiafya kwa kutumia ushahidi wa kisayansi.“NIMR itaendelea kuwekeza katika miundombinu, vifaa vya kisasa vya utafiti, mafunzo ya kuwajengea uwezo na motisha kwa watumishi”. “Lengo letu ni kuhakikisha tafiti zetu zinaleta matokeo yanayogusa maisha ya wananchi na kushawishi sera za afya” amesema Prof. Aboud.Kituo cha NIMR Tabora kilianzishwa mwaka 1922, na ni miongoni mwa vituo kongwe zaidi vya utafiti wa afya nchini. Kituo kimekuwa na mchango mkubwa katika tafiti za kudhibiti ugonjwa wa Malale (Human African Trypanosomiasis) hususan katika maeneo yenye hatari kubwa ya maambukizi nchini Tanzania.Katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, kituo hiki kimepanua wigo wa tafiti zake kwa kutumia mtazamo wa Afya Moja (One Health) unaojumuisha afya ya binadamu, wanyama, na mazingira. Vipaumbele vya tafiti za sasa katika kituo hiki ni pamoja na athari za mabadiliko ya tabianchi kwa afya, homa za virusi za kutokwa damu, magonjwa yanayosambazwa na mbu pamoja na vimelea vya maradhi na ufuatiliaji wa vinasaba kwa vimelea vinavyoweza kusababisha milipuko ya magonjwa.Kituo kimeanza kutumia teknolojia rahisi na inayobebeka ya upimaji wa vinasaba kwa ajili ya kugundua mapema na kukabiliana na milipuko ya magonjwa. Teknolojia hii inasaidia kuongeza uwezo wa taifa katika kuzuia na kudhibiti magonjwa ya milipuko na hivyo kulinda afya ya jamii.Ziara ya Prof. Aboud imetoa msukumo mpya kwa maendeleo ya kituo cha NIMR Tabora. Kupitia uwekezaji katika miundombinu, vitendea kazi, rasilimali watu na teknolojia, NIMR inaendelea kujidhihirisha kama taasisi ya kimkakati katika kukabiliana na changamoto za afya kwa kuzalisha ushahidi wa kisayansi kuanzia ngazi ya jamii hadi kimataifa.

A delegation from the Eswatini Health and Human Research Review Board (EHHRB) has commended National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) for its robust ethical review and approval systems in health research regulation. The commendation was made during a visit to NIMR Sub-office in Dar es Salaam. The visit which began on Monday 16th June 2025, was undertaken following a recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recognized Tanzania as a model country with well-established mechanisms in research ethics that other nations can learn from. The EHHRB team was led by Mr. Rudolph Maziya, Chairperson of the Board, and Ms. Babazile Hazel Shongwe, Executive Secretary. The primary objective of the visit was to learn about Tanzania’s ethical and regulatory framework, especially that managed by NIMR. The delegation was officially received by the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said S. Aboud, who gave an overview of the Institute’s mandate in promoting, coordinating, and regulating health research in Tanzania. Also in attendance were Dr. Mary Mayige, the Director of Research Information and Regulatory Affairs, Dr. Obadia Bishoge, Head of the Health Research Regulation Section, and members of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC) Secretariat. During the visit, the team was briefed on Tanzania’s health research regulatory framework, including the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC) protocol review process and the operation of the National Research Ethics Information Management System (NREIMS). NREIMS is a digital platform that enables researchers to submit proposals for ethical review by NatHREC and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) across the country. The Eswatini delegation expressed admiration for the efficiency and success of NREIMS, describing it as a transformative tool that has streamlined ethical review processes and improved accountability in research oversight. They expressed strong interest in adopting a similar system in Eswatini to enhance their own research governance. Beyond the technical engagement, the visitors also acknowledged the warmth and professionalism extended to them by NIMR staff throughout their visit. They praised Tanzania’s leadership in health research regulation and emphasized the value of continued collaboration between the two institutions. During winding up of the visit, Prof. Aboud thanked the delegates for their visit and reaffirmed NIMR commitment to supporting regional partnerships and promoting excellence in ethical oversight across the continent.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) successfully conducted a three-day training workshop on knowledge translation from 11th to 13th June 2025, at its Headquarters Sub-office in Dar es Salaam. The workshop brought together 19 research scientists from NIMR Muhimbili, Mbeya, Tanga, Mabibo, and Dodoma Centres, along with participants from the Zanzibar Health Research Institute (ZAHRI). The primary objective of the training was to strengthen researchers’ capacity to translate scientific knowledge into practical policy tools. The training workshop focused on the development of policy briefs and explored effective strategies for packaging and communicating research evidence to support evidence-informed decision-making and policy formulation in Tanzania. The training was officially opened by the Director for Research Coordination and Promotion, Dr. Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, on behalf of the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud. In opening remarks, Dr. Ntinginya encouraged researchers to embrace policy brief development as a critical outcome of their research work and reminded them that producing policy briefs is among the key criteria for career advancement at NIMR. The training covered several thematic areas including identifying communication gaps between researchers and policy makers, defining health-related problems based on Tanzania’s National Health Research Agenda, using systematic reviews as a tool for evidence synthesis, and understanding the structure and content of effective policy briefs. Additionally, participants learned on how to present their research findings through various dissemination platforms such as policy dialogue meetings. By the end of the workshop, participants had developed a total of 19 policy briefs, each addressing specific health issues that are aligned with national priorities. Facilitation was provided by experts from NIMR including Dr. Elizabeth H. Shayo, Mr. Emanuel Makundi, Ms. Stella Kilima, and Dr. Marywinne Nanyaro. Workshop participants expressed appreciation to the NIMR Management for moral and financial support, which was instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of the training. This training is part of NIMR ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between research and policy, reinforcing the role of scientific evidence in shaping public health interventions and national development.

Waziri wa Nchi, Ofisi ya Rais – Menejimenti ya Utumishi wa Umma na Utawala Bora, Mheshimiwa George Simbachawene, ameipongeza Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) kwa mchango wake mkubwa katika kufanya tafiti zinazogusa maisha ya Watanzania na kutoa bidhaa halisi zitokanazo na tafiti hizo, zenye lengo la kutatua changamoto mbalimbali za kiafya.Mheshimiwa Simbachawene ametoa pongezi hizo leo alipotembelea banda la NIMR katika maonesho ya Wiki ya Utumishi wa Umma yanayoendelea kufanyika katika viwanja vya Chinangali Park jijini Dodoma. NIMR inashiriki katika maadhimisho hayo kwa kuonesha kazi zake za utafiti, ikiwemo bidhaa za tiba asili pamoja na kutoa elimu kuhusu taratibu za kupata vibali vya kufanya tafiti za afya nchini.Aidha Mhe. Simbachawene amesema kuwa ni jambo la kupongezwa kuona taasisi ya utafiti kama NIMR ikionesha bidhaa halisi zilizotokana na tafiti zake. Aliitaka NIMR kuhakikisha bidhaa hizo za tiba zinawafikia wananchi kwa kuzisambaza katika maduka makubwa ya dawa (pharmacy) katika kila mkoa.“Imekuwa ni fursa nzuri kwa kuweka bidhaa hizi hadharani. Ninyi mnafanya tafiti na tafiti ndiyo zinawapa uhalali kuliko wengine. NIMR ni chombo cha taifa kwa ajili ya kuhakikisha ubora na usalama wa huduma hizi. Onenekaneni masokoni, zinapopatikana huduma hizi kama kwenye pharmacy kubwa kubwa kila mkoa. Ni jambo jepesi, mkifanya hivyo, sisi wananchi tutanunua tu,” amesema Mheshimiwa Simbachawene.Kwa upande wake, Dkt. Akili Kalinga, Mtafiti Mkuu kutoka NIMR, amemshukuru Waziri kwa kutembelea banda la taasisi na kueleza kuwa NIMR imeendelea kufanya tafiti katika maeneo mbalimbali ya afya yakiwemo magonjwa ya kuambukiza na yasiyoambukiza, tiba asili, afya ya uzazi, lishe na mengineyo yenye lengo la kuboresha ustawi wa jamii.Maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Utumishi wa Umma hufanyika kila mwaka kuanzia Juni 16, na kuhitimishwa Juni 23. Husherehekewa na Wanachama wa Umoja wa Afrika (AU) kwa lengo la kutambua mchango wa Watumishi hao katika nchi zao. Maadhimisho huambatana na maonesho mbalimbali.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), on 10th June 2025, participated in the annual scientific meeting of the RESPOND AFRICA partnership held at the University College London (UCL), Liverpool Campus. The meeting brought together international researchers, health professionals and policymakers to discuss progress and innovations in integrated care for chronic conditions such as HIV, diabetes and hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.The NIMR team was led by Prof. Said Aboud, Director General of NIMR, along with Prof. Sayoki G. Mfinanga, Principal Investigator of RESPOND AFRICA project in Tanzania and Dr. Sokoine Kivuyo who is a senior researcher from NIMR Muhimbili Centre. The team actively participated in high-level discussions on strategies to improve chronic disease management through scalable, integrated healthcare system.During the meeting, NIMR researchers presented key findings from the ongoing META trial which investigates the use of metformin to prevent diabetes in people living with HIV. NIMR also shared progress from other related projects namely INTE-COMM which compares community-based integrated care with standard clinic-based services; MOCCA, which explores strategies to optimize long-term care for chronic diseases; and INTE AFRICA, a flagship initiative that has demonstrated the feasibility, efficiency, and scalability of integrated chronic disease services by combining HIV, diabetes, and hypertension care into a unified primary healthcare system.Through these interactive discussions, NIMR researchers highlighted how Tanzania is taking a leadership role in designing and implementing integrated health services that can serve as a model to other African countries. Prof. Aboud emphasized the importance of findings generated from research studies informing on policy change, formulation, best practices and ultimately improving healthcare system in the country and globally while Prof. Mfinanga and Dr. Kivuyo shared Tanzania’s experience in research management, data collection and long-term follow-up of participants in the trials. Prof Aboud further commented on the strengthened regulatory environment through utilisation of National Research Information Management System (NREIMS) and integration with other systems.NIMR participation in the meeting which began on 10th June 2025 and is expected to end on 12th June 2025, reflects the Institute commitment to advancing scientific research that improves public health in Tanzania and globally.

Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) imefanya ziara ya kijamii tarehe 6 Mei 2025 katika Gereza Kuu la Isanga na Shule ya Viziwi Dodoma, ambapo imetoa msaada wa vitu mbalimbali kwa ajili ya kuwafariji na kusaidia makundi yenye uhitaji katika jamii.Msaada huo ulijumuisha magodoro, shuka, dawa za meno, sabuni za kuogea, mafuta ya kupaka, vyakula kama mchele, unga wa ugali, maharage, mahindi, nyama, sukari, mafuta ya kupikia, mikate, unga wa lishe na maziwa ya kopo.Akizungumza kwa niaba ya Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NIMR, Meneja wa Rasilimali Watu na Utawala, Bi. Bupe Ndelwa, alieleza kuwa Taasisi inaguswa na hali ya makundi hayo maalumu na kuona umuhimu wa kuwafariji na kuwaonesha 0upendo. Alisisitiza kuwa NIMR kama sehemu ya jamii iliona ni vyema kutumia kidogo walichokuwa nacho kuwafikia ndugu zao ili wasijihisi wametengwa na jamii na kuwatia moyo kuwa wapo pamoja nao na wanawapenda.Mkuu wa Gereza la Isanga, Kamishna Msaidizi wa Magereza (ACP) Zephania Neligwa, aliishukuru NIMR kwa moyo wa huruma waliouonesha na kusisitiza umuhimu wa Taasisi na watu binafsi kuwa na utamaduni wa kusaidia makundi yenye uhitaji. Alisema, “Nawapongeza NIMR kwa hatua hii ya kugusa maisha ya wahitaji. Msaada huu si tu unaleta faraja kwa wafungwa, bali pia unaakisi uzalendo na upendo kwa jamii. Msipate hofu ya kutembelea magereza, ni sehemu rafiki, tunawakaribisha kuwatembelea ndugu zetu”.Kwa upande wake, Mkuu wa Gereza la Isanga, Sehemu ya Wanawake, Mrakibu wa Magereza Sifa Anyimike, alisema misaada kama hiyo husaidia kupunguza gharama kwa Serikali katika uendeshaji wa magereza na kuhakikisha mahitaji ya msingi ya wafungwa yanatimizwa.Baada ya ziara hiyo gerezani, NIMR pia ilitembelea Shule ya Viziwi Dodoma na kutoa msaada wa vyakula na mahitaji mengine kwa wanafunzi wenye ulemavu wa kusikia. Mwalimu Mkuu wa shule hiyo, Bw. Awadhi Mbogo, aliipongeza NIMR kwa kujitoa kwao na kuwataka kuendeleza moyo huo wa kutoa pale inapohitajika. “Hili ni tendo la kiutu ambalo limewagusa sana watoto wetu, huku hatufikiwi mara kwa mara, lakini NIMR mmefanya jitihada za kutufikia. Tunawashukuru kwa upendo wenu na tunawaombea muendelee kuwa na moyo wa huruma kwa jamii.” Alisema Mbogo.Misaada hiyo ni sehemu ya juhudi za taasisi kurudisha kwa jamii na kuonyesha mshikamano na upendo kwa makundi maalumu.

Katika kuimarisha ushirikiano na jamii, Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) tarehe 29/05/2025 imekutana na timu ya viongozi kutoka kata mbili zinazozunguka kituo cha utafiti cha NIMR Gonja.Ujumbe huo ulioongozwa na Mheshimiwa Issa Jasper Rashid, Diwani wa Kata ya Maore, ulihusisha Mtendaji wa Kata, Wenyeviti wa Vijiji, Watendaji na Wenyeviti wa Vitongoji 11. Viongozi hao walitembelea kituo cha NIMR Gonja na kujionea maendeleo makubwa ya ufufuaji wa kituo hicho.Wameipongeza NIMR kwa hatua hiyo muhimu na kuahidi kuendelea kutoa ushirikiano katika shughuli za utafiti sanjari na kuwa mabalozi wa kuelimisha jamii juu ya shughuli zitakazotekelezwa kituoni hapo.Mkuu wa kituo cha NIMR Gonja, Bw. Said Frank Magogo, aliwashukuru viongozi hao kwa kutambua umuhimu wa kutembelea kituo hicho, akibainisha kuwa wao kama wawakilishi wa wananchi ni wadau muhimu wa Taasisi. Alisisitiza kuwa ushirikiano wa karibu kati ya NIMR na jamii unachagiza mafanikio ya Taasisi katika kutekeleza jukumu lake kuu la kufanya tafiti mbalimbali kwa lengo la kuboresha afya ya Watanzania.Akijibu maombi ya viongozi hao waliotaka tafiti zaidi zifanyike juu ya magonjwa kama homa ya ini ambayo imeisumbua jamii hiyo kwa muda mrefu, Bw. Magogo alieleza kuwa ushirikiano wa karibu na jamii huchangia kwa kiasi kikubwa katika kuibua maeneo mapya ya kufanya tafiti za afya. Aliahidi kuwa NIMR itaendelea kushirikiana na wananchi ili kuhakikisha utafiti unagusa mahitaji halisi ya jamii.

Wataalamu kutoka idara mbalimbali za Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), wakiongozwa na Idara ya Manunuzi na Ugavi wamekutana kuandaa Mpango wa Manunuzi wa mwaka wa fedha 2025/26 kwa lengo la kuongeza ufanisi na tija katika Taasisi.   Akizungumza leo tarehe 29 Mei 2025 alipotembelea timu ya washiriki wa kuandaa mpango huo, Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud amesisitiza umuhimu wa kuwa na Mpango wa Manunuzi wa Mwaka ulioandaliwa kwa ushirikishwaji wa idara tumizi na umakini mkubwa ili kuweza kuutekeleza kwa wakati na kufikia malengo ya Taasisi. Amewakumbusha washiriki kuandaa mpango wenye uhalisia, kuzingatia sheria ya manunuzi ya umma na kanuni zake na kuchakata maombi kupitia mfumo wa NeST. “Mpango wa manunuzi wa mwaka ukiandaliwa na kutekelezwa vizuri unawezesha Taasisi kufikia malengo yake ya mwaka kwa wakati,” amesema, Prof. Aboud huku akiwapongeza watumishi kwa kuendelea kufanya kazi kwa bidii, kuwajibika, uadilifu na weledi.   Mkutano huo wa kuandaa Mpango wa Manunuzi wa Mwaka unaofanyika mjini Morogro ulianza tarehe 26 na unatarajia kumalizika 30/05/2025 ambapo umewakutanisha maafisa manunuzi, bajeti, TEHAMA, watafiti wanasayansi, Meneja wa Manunuzi na Ugavi, Meneja wa Mipango, Ufuatiliaji na Tathmini kutoka Makao Makuu, Kituo cha Muhimbili, Tanga, Amani, Korogwe, Mbeya na Mwanza na Mbeya.