National Institute For Medical Research

31/07/2026

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

A newly published systematic review and meta-analysis on Plasmodium falciparum Kelch13 (PfK13) mutations provides important insights into the evolving landscape of artemisinin resistance in East Africa.
Continuous monitoring of PfK13 mutations, timely data sharing, and collaboration across countries and institutions will be essential to detect resistance early and protect the effectiveness of malaria treatment.

Read the publication: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:1f74d58a-cb40-4a4c-bd98-b434bd09a525

30/07/2026

28/07/2026

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in collaboration with the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), other local and international partners, on 28th July, 2026 convened a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Dar es Salaam to discuss strategies for strengthening Tanzania’s clinical trial oversight policy and legal framework.
The meeting, held at the CEEMI Hall, NIMR Headquarters sub-Office, brought together representatives from regulatory authorities, government institutions, research institutions, universities, ethics committees, clinical trial investigators, patient associations, and development partners to discuss findings from the assessment of Tanzania’s clinical trial oversight framework conducted using the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT).
The consultative meeting was organized under the Reinforce the Ethical and Regulatory Ecosystem for the Transformation of Clinical Trials Oversight in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Beyond (RER-CTO) Project, which is being implemented by NIMR in collaboration with TMDA, the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), the University of Oslo (UiO), and Karolinska Institutet (KI).
Speaking during the opening of the meeting, the NIMR Director General emphasized the importance of a strong ethical and regulatory oversight framework in ensuring that clinical research conducted in Tanzania protects the rights, safety, dignity, and well-being of research participants while maintaining the credibility and integrity of research outcomes.
The Director General noted that the evolving clinical research landscape, driven by advances in biotechnology, genomics, digital health, artificial intelligence, and innovative clinical trial designs, presents both opportunities and regulatory challenges. He emphasized the need for Tanzania’s clinical trial oversight framework to remain responsive and aligned with international best practices.
“This consultative meeting provides an important opportunity to discuss the findings of the assessment, identify strengths and gaps within the current framework, and agree on actions that will strengthen ethical and regulatory oversight, enhance coordination among institutions, and improve protection of research participants,” he said.
Dr. Mary Mayige, Principal Research Officer and Project Principal Investigator at NIMR Headquarters, said the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to review findings from the RER-CTO assessment and identify priority actions for strengthening clinical trial oversight in Tanzania.
The assessment conducted through the RER-CTO Project identified key strengths and gaps within Tanzania’s existing clinical trial oversight policy and legal framework. Stakeholders discussed practical strategies and recommendations aimed at addressing the identified gaps and improving coordination among institutions involved in clinical research oversight.
Supported by the European Union through the Global Health EDCTP3 programme, the RER-CTO Project aims to strengthen ethical and regulatory systems for clinical trials in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and beyond. Through this initiative, NIMR and its partners are working to enhance research governance and support the conduct of safe, ethical, and high-quality clinical research.

21/07/2026

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) is strengthening Tanzania’s ability to detect and monitor pathogens responsible for infectious diseases through advanced training on 16S/Internal mkTranscribed Spacer (ITS) ribosomal RNA sequencing for laboratory scientists from NIMR and the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).
The two-week training commenced on 13th July 2026 at the NPHL laboratories in Mabibo and is being implemented under the Tanzania Global Health Security Priorities – Advancing Efforts and Strategies to Protect and Improve Health Security (TAGHESP) initiative. The training focuses on building laboratory expertise in advanced genomic technologies to improve the detection and surveillance of pathogens causing acute febrile illnesses (AFI) and acute respiratory infections (ARI).
Speaking during the official opening of the training, Acting NPHL Director, Mr Seif Abdul, emphasised the importance of strengthening the use of genomic sequencing technologies particularly the 16S/ITS sequencing approach in detecting pathogens responsible for ARI and AFI. He noted that this expertise will enhance ongoing scientific work under the multi-pathogen study and establish a strong foundation for future research initiatives.
Mr Abdul further commended the CDC Tanzania for its continued support in strengthening laboratory systems for pathogen detection and advancing modern disease surveillance approaches in the country.
Representing the NIMR Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Misago Seth, he highlighted the importance of the training in enhancing the technical skills of laboratory scientists from NIMR and NPHL in applying advanced genomic technologies. The study team underscored the importance of incorporating metagenomics sequencing into the testing portfolio for multipathogen investigations particularly as Tanzania continues to expand surveillance of ARI and AFI beyond SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza virus.
Through the training, laboratory scientists from NIMR and NPHL gain hands-on skills in key sequencing processes including nucleic acid extraction, 16S/ITS sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and interpretation of sequencing results.
The training also supports the development of standardised laboratory workflows and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to facilitate the sustainable application of genomic sequencing technologies in disease surveillance activities.
The enhanced capability will enable NIMR and NPHL to detect a broader range of pathogens including those that may remain unidentified through conventional diagnostic methods. This will contribute to improved infectious disease surveillance, evidence-based public health decision-making, and enhanced preparedness for emerging disease threats.
Testing of samples from AFI and ARI will be conducted during Phase I at NPHL and Phase II at NIMR.
life # NPHL # # #

19/07/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻!

Be part of the future of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine by submitting your abstract to the 5th Traditional Medicine Scientific Conference.
📅 28 August 2026
📍 Mbeya, Tanzania
⏳ Submission deadline: 6 August 2026



Scan the QR code or visit https://tmsc.apps.nimr.or.tz to submit your abstract.

14/07/2026

📢 Proud to share our new scoping review published in BMC Infectious Diseases titled:

“𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮: 𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

Genomic surveillance is critical for strengthening the early detection and response to infectious disease threats across Africa.
This review highlights key gaps, including uneven training coverage, limited hands-on mentorship opportunities, weak integration into routine surveillance systems, and limited career pathways for genomic specialists.
The review recommends priority actions to strengthen genomic capacity across the continent, including:
✅ Investing in practical, context-appropriate training that combines theoretical knowledge with laboratory and computational skills.
✅ Establishing local and regional hubs for mentorship, shared infrastructure, and sustainable career development.
✅ Integrating genomics into national surveillance systems and funding frameworks beyond short-term projects.
✅ Strengthening interoperable data systems and bioinformatics pipelines suitable for low- and middle-income country settings.
Building sustainable genomic capacity is essential for advancing pathogen surveillance and improving public health preparedness in Africa.
🔗 Read the full article here:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12879-026-13671-2

07/07/2026

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has established a national coordination mechanism to strengthen the management, alignment, and use of health research evidence within Tanzania’s health and development agenda.
The mechanism, the National Health Research Coordination and Promotion Committee (NatHReCoP), was launched by the Minister for Health, Hon. Mohamed Mchengerwa, during the 33rd Annual Joint Sector Review (AJSC) meeting held in Arusha.
NatHReCoP would operate within the Medical Research Coordinating Committee (MRCC) framework as a sister committee to the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC). While NatHREC focuses on ethical review and protection of research participants, NatHReCoP is mandated to strengthen coordination, promotion and utilization of health research outputs at national level.
The initiative responds to the need for improved coordination of health research activities including addressing fragmentation, duplication of efforts and limited uptake of research findings in policy formulation/change and best practices. It also reflects the need to enhance efficiency in the use of investments within a changing global research funding environment.
The committee brings together multi-sectoral experts from key institutions including the Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), National Environment Management Council (NEMC), Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) as well as representatives from academia, research institutions, Government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
Its core functions include national health research monitoring and reporting, strengthening evidence-to-policy translation, promoting innovation and technology transfer, and supporting mobilization of research funding. These functions will be implemented through structured national coordination systems including a centralized health research data repository and policy dialogue platforms.
The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between researchers, policymakers and implementers to ensure that locally generated evidence informs national health priorities including Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050.
“The establishment of NatHReCoP offers a structured national response to longstanding challenges in health research coordination. By strengthening collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and implementers, the committee will support the use of evidence in guiding national development priorities and safeguarding public health,” said the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud.
To enhance coordination at subnational level, zonal structures will be integrated through NIMR regional centres to support broader stakeholder engagement and improve responsiveness across the country.
The establishment of NatHReCoP marks a strengthened approach to coordinating health research in Tanzania with emphasis on alignment, efficiency, and effective use of scientific evidence in national development.
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