Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) imetoa matokeo ya awali ya Utafiti kuhusu vihatarishi vya magonjwa yasiyoambukiza (NCD) nchini Tanzania. Utafiti huo ulifanyika kuanzia mwezi Septemba hadi Novemba 2023 kupitia mradi wa STEPS NCD Survey uliofadhiliwa na Shirika la Afya Duniani (WHO) na Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kupitia Wizara ya Afya. Matokeo hayo yamewasilishwa na Mtafiti Mkuu wa mradi ambaye pia ni Mkurugenzi wa Taarifa na Kurekebu Tafiti, NIMR Dkt. Mary Mayige katika mdahalo wa kitaaluma uliohusisha wadau mbalimbali wa afya, kwenye maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Afya. Maadhimisho hayo yamefanyika katika viwanja vya JKCC – Dodoma kuanzia tarehe 3 hadi 8 Aprili 2025.Dkt. Mayige amesema kuwa Utafiti huo wa kina ulikuwa na lengo la kutathmini hali ya afya ya watu wazima wa Kitanzania wenye umri kati ya miaka 18 hadi 69 kwa kutumia hatua tatu kuu: ukusanyaji wa taarifa za kijamii na tabia za kiafya, vipimo vya mwili (urefu, uzito na shinikizo la damu), na vipimo vya kimaabara kupima sukari, figo na kolesteroli katika damu.Aidha Dkt. Mayige amesema matokeo ya utafiti huo yameonesha kuwa bado kuna tatizo la magonjwa yasiyoambukiza nchini Tanzania ikiwemo kisukari, shinikizo la juu la damu, afya ya akili, afya ya kinywa na meno na magonjwa mengine yasiyoambikiza. Dkt. Mayige amesema kuwa takwimu zinatoa taswira ya kina ya hali ya vihatarishi vya magonjwa yasiyoambukiza miongoni mwa watu wazima wa Tanzania amabapo amesisitiza haja ya dharura ya kuimarisha afua za afya ya umma ili kukabiliana na vihatarishi hivyo na kuboresha afya ya Watanzania kwa ujumla.NIMR ni miongoni mwa Taasisi za afya zilizoshiriki Wiki ya Afya Kitaifa. Mbali na kuwasilisha matokeo ya utafiti pia imeshiriki maonesho ya Wiki ya Afya kwa kutoa elimu ya kupata vibali vya utafiti, kuonesha bidhaa za tiba asili zilizofanyiwa utafiti katika kituo cha utafiti wa tiba asili Mabibo.

Mamia ya wananchi wamemiminika katika Banda la NIMR kujipatia Kinywaji lishe cha NIMREVIT kwenye wiki ya Afya Kitaifa, iliyofanyika tarehe 3-8 Aprili 2025, kwenye viwanja vya JKCC-Dodoma, ambacho hutengenezwa Kwa mimea ya asili na Kituo cha NiMR Mabibo, ambapo umati huo unathibitisha Imani ya wananchi Kwa Taasisi.Kinywaji hiki hutengenezwa Mahususi kwaajili ya kuimarisha afya ya mwili kikiwa na faida nyingi kama kuongeza damu, kuimarisha afya ya moyo na mishipa ya damu, kuimarisha mifupa na mishipa ya fahamu, na kuondoa uchovu wa mwili.

Waziri wa Afya, Mhe. Jenista Mhagama, ameielekeza Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) kuongeza idadi ya dawa za tiba asili zinazozalishwa na Kituo cha Utafiti cha NIMR Mabibo, ambazo utafiti wake umekamilika, ili zitumike katika huduma jumuishi zinazotolewa katika hospitali za rufaa za mkoa sita zaidi mbali na saba za sasa ili kuongeza huduma na kuisaidia jamii katika kukabiliana na magonjwa mbalimbali.Mhe. Mhagama ameyasema hayo leo terehe 08/04/2025 alipotembelea banda la NIMR katika kilele cha maonesho ya Wiki ya Afya  yaliyofanyika katika viwanja vya JKCC – Dodoma. Aidha, aliipongeza NIMR kwa juhudi kubwa wanazozifanya katika utafiti wa afya, zinazolenga kutatua changamoto za kiafya kwa wananchi.Aidha akieleza kuhusu mafanikio ya Tafiti, Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NIMR Prof. Said Aboud alieleza mafanikio makubwa yaliyopatikana kupitia tafiti za tiba asili zilizofanywa na taasisi hiyo. Alisema kuwa mpaka sasa, NIMR kupitia kituo chake cha Mabibo kimeweza kufanya tafiti za tiba asili ambazo zimeonyesha matokeo chanya na baadhi ya dawa zimeingizwa katika mpango wa huduma jumuishi.Prof. Aboud amesema miongoni mwa dawa zilizofanyiwa utafiti ni pamoja PERSIVIN inayotibu tezi dume, WARBUGISTAT (Magonjwa nyemelezi), NIMREGENIN (Saratani), TANGESHA (Seli mundu), TMS 2001 (Malaria) na NIMRCAF (UVIKO-19) ambayo inaendelea kusaidia jamii kutibu magojwa ya mfumo wa upumuaji. Prof. Aboud amesema NIMR katika tafiti zake za hivi karibuni imefanikiwa kuja na njia mpya ya kugundua kifua Kikuu kwa njia ya kutumia sampuli za choo na damu pamoja na kupunguza dozi kwa wagonjwa wa kifua kikuu kutoka miezi 6 ya sasa hadi 4, kupunguza dozi ya chanjo ya kuzuia saratani ya mlango wa kizazi kutoka dozi mbili hadi moja ambayo imerahisisha utoaji huduma na kupunguza gharama kwa Serikali.    “Kwa sasa mfumo wa kidijitali wa kuombea vibali vya tafiti za afya wa National Research Information Management System (NREIMS) umeimarishwa na unasomana na mfumo wa GePG katika kufanya malipo na TMDA katika tafiti za majaribio ya kitabibu yaani ‘Clinical Trials’. Pia mfumo huu unaweza kutoa vibali kwa njia ya kidijitali na hivyo kupunguza muda wa watafiti kupata vibali vya tafiti na ruhusa ya kuchapisha matokeo ya utafiti katika majarida ya kisayansi pale wanapoomba”. Amesema Prof. Aboud Katika Wiki ya Afya, Taasisi pia ilitoa wasilisho la matokeo ya utafiti wa nchi nzima wa hali ya magonjwa yasiyoambukiza. Taarifa ambayo imetoa tathmini ya hali ya magonjwa yasioambukiza kama shinikizo la damu, kisukari, figo, afya ya kinywa na meno na afya ya akili.Akimshukuru Mhe. Waziri Prof. Aboud amesema kuwa NIMR iko tayari kufanya tafiti zaidi na kuongeza bidhaa za tiba asili katika huduma jumuishi ili kuendelea kuwasaidia watanzania kukabiliana na changamoto za kiafyaMaonesho hayo ya Wiki ya Afya yameandaliwa na Wizara ya Afya yakiwakutanisha pamoja wadau mbalimbali na Taasisi za Afya kwa ajili ya kujadili na kutathimini mafanikio na maendeleo ya afya nchini.

Tafiti za ndani ya nchi zimekuwa chanzo kikuu cha ushahidi wa kisayansi unaotumika katika kufanya maamuzi ya kisera, kuboresha huduma na kuimarisha mifumo ya afya kwa ujumla. Hayo yamesemwa leo tarehe 4 Aprili na Mkurugenzi wa Kuratibu na Kukuza Utafiti NIMR Dkt. Nyanda Ntinginya, aliyekuwa  akimuwakilisha Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Tasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Maginjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) katika mdahalo wa kitaaluma uliohusisha wadau mbalimbali wa afya, kwenye maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Afya. Maadhimisho hayo yanafanyika katika viwanja vya JKCC- Dodoma kuanzia tarehe 3 hadi 8 Aprili 2025, Dkt. Nyanda amesisitiza nafasi muhimu ya tafiti za kisayansi katika kuboresha huduma za afya nchini Tanzania.“Kujikita katika mbinu za kitafiti kumeleta maendeleo makubwa katika kufikia malengo ya mfumo wa afya – kuanzia kwenye utoaji wa huduma, utawala bora, hadi ushirikishwaji wa wadau katika kuongeza usawa wa huduma za afya nchini Tanzania, NIMR inaendelea kuimarisha tafiti zinazotokana na mahitaji halisi ya wananchi ili kuhakikisha hakuna anayebaki nyuma katika kufikia huduma bora za afya,” amesema Dkt. Nyanda.Aidha Dkt. Nyanda amebainisha kuwa mafanikio ya kisera yanayotokana na tafiti za ndani ni pamoja na kuboreshwa kwa uwezo wa watumishi wa afya, mifumo ya usimamizi na taarifa, upatikanaji wa dawa, pamoja na mikakati ya kukabiliana na magonjwa ya kuambukiza na yasiyo ya kuambukiza.Mbali na kushiriki mdahalo huo wa kitaaluma, NIMR pia inashiriki kwenye maonesho yaliyoandaliwa na Wizara, bandani tuna bidhaa mbalimbali za tiba asili zinazozalishwa na kituo cha Mabibo, tunatoa elimu kuhusu mchakato wa kupata vibali vya utafiti wa afya, na kuonesha kwa vitendo namna tafiti za wadudu waenezao magonjwa kama mbu zinavyofanyika.Ushiriki wa NIMR katika maadhimisho ya Wiki ya Afya ni sehemu ya juhudi za Taasisi katika kuhakikisha Tanzania inafikia lengo la “Afya Kwa Wote”, kwa kutumia tafiti za kisayansi kama nyenzo muhimu.

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), led by Director General Prof. Said Aboud, has recently reaffirmed its commitment to global research collaboration through a strategic visit to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM). During the visit, the NIMR delegation engaged in high-level discussions with the Vice Chancellor of LSTM, focusing on strengthening institutional partnerships and expanding joint efforts in infectious disease research, epidemiology, and health system strengthening. The discussions also explored opportunities for collaborative research projects, grant funding, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare solutions in Tanzania and beyond. This visit underscores NIMR’s dedication to fostering international partnerships that drive impactful scientific discoveries and enhance Tanzania’s research capacity. By working together with globally renowned institutions like LSTM, NIMR continues to position itself at the forefront of medical research and innovation.

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.