National Institute For Medical Research

12/12/2025

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗹-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 “𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗴𝘀”

A recent study presented at the 7th Africa Continental World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) event has unveiled the “environmental resistome” in Tanzania. Using advanced genomic tools to analyse wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) from Dar es Salaam and Tanga, pilot sites where the project is being implemented, the study's preliminary results provide a population-level snapshot of circulating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in environmental ecosystems. The researchers detected signals of resistance to common antimicrobial drugs and pinpointed hotspots of antimicrobial resistance “superbug”. These results offer a complementary tool for surveillance to inform targeted interventions, bridging the One Health gap created by the traditional focus on clinical surveillance, often overlooking the environmental reservoirs of AMR. "Using advanced genomic tools, we tested local wastewater and uncovered a hidden landscape of AMR threats. This environmental surveillance approach provides an early warning tool for public health." Jackson Claver, Head of Genomics Department, NPHL.
Dr Vito Baraka, Principal Scientist and lead Investigator in Tanzania, explained that “WES of pathogens and AMR is a radar of population health, what goes down our drains tells a story about our community health. This wastewater and environmental based surveillance provide a complementary tool for detecting early signals in our communities including AMR threats, informing targeted public health interventions, and protecting our communities. The approach is effective, empowering preventive actions and enabling us to take precise measures to safeguard our antimicrobial agents.”
Dr Eric Lyimo, co-Investigator in the study highlighted that: "AMR doesn't respect boundaries, and its cross-cutting issue that need multisectoral and multidisciplinary approach. AMR genes from farms, hospitals, and households can mix in our wasteways and environment. Therefore, protecting our antibiotics requires a integrated approach across through One Health concept, cutting across all sectors including human, veterinary and agriculture and environmental ecosystems."
The ODIN project, funded by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3), is a multinational initiative. The ODIN Consortium brings together North-South partners and integrates high-capacity genomic technologies to advance wastewater surveillance for public health impact. The consortium brings together partners from the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) and National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Tanzania, the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) in DR Congo, and the Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS) in Burkina Faso together with NORCE (Norway), VIB-UGent (Belgium), the TGHN University of Oxford's Global Health Network (UK), the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and Lund University, Sweden. This collaborative platform is dedicated to exchanging technological innovation, strengthening capacity, advancing methodological approaches in WES and translating pathogen genomic data into actionable public health intelligence. This collaborative model ensures that surveillance tools are co-developed, context-specific and validated within the local settings. The project also focused on capacity strengthening to create and strengthen a scalable blueprint for WES across sub-Saharan Africa. . # ODIN

10/12/2025

07/12/2025

07/12/2025

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥 𝗬𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗮 𝗨𝘄𝗲𝘇𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶 𝘄𝗮 𝗔𝗳𝘆𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗸𝗲 𝗞𝘂𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗼 𝗹𝗮 𝗨𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗞𝘂𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝗱𝘂𝗺𝗮 𝘇𝗮 𝗔𝗳𝘆𝗮 𝘇𝗮 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗶

Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), kupitia Kituo chake cha Muhimbili, imeendesha mafunzo maalumu ya uandishi wa andiko la kitafiti kwa watumishi wa afya kutoka Hospitali ya Rufaa ya Mkoa Temeke. Mafunzo hayo ya siku tatu, yaliyofanyika kuanzia tarehe 26 hadi 28 Novemba 2025, yalilenga kuwajengea uwezo washiriki katika kubuni, kuandaa na kuwasilisha mapendekezo bora ya tafiti za kisayansi.
Katika mafunzo hayo, washiriki walipata fursa ya kufanya mazoezi kwa vitendo kuhusu hatua muhimu za uandishi wa andiko la utafiti, ikiwemo kuandaa mapendekezo yenye ubora, kuimarisha uwezo wa uandishi wa kisayansi, kuelewa na kutekeleza maadili ya utafiti, pamoja na kubadilisha mawazo ya kitaalamu na kuwa tafiti zenye matokeo chanya na zinazoweza kupata ufadhili.
Akizungumza wakati wa kufunga mafunzo hayo kwa niaba ya Mkurugenzi Mkuu, Mkurugenzi wa Kukuza na Kuratibu Tafiti NIMR (DRCP) Dkt. Nyanda E. Ntinginya, ameushukuru uongozi wa Hospitali ya Temeke kwa kuthamini umuhimu wa mafunzo hayo na kuhakikisha ushiriki mpana wa watumishi wake. Amesisitiza kuwa ujuzi walioupata washiriki unapaswa kutumika kuboresha utoaji wa huduma za afya kwa kuanzisha, kuendesha na kuchapisha tafiti zenye manufaa kwa wananchi na taifa kwa ujumla.
Dkt. Nyanda pia alibainisha kuwa NIMR itaendelea kuimarisha ushirikiano na Hospitali ya Rufaa ya Temeke katika kukuza uwezo wa watumishi, kuendeleza tafiti za pamoja na kuhamasisha matumizi ya ushahidi wa kisayansi katika kuboresha huduma za afya nchini.
Mafunzo hayo yanaibua matumaini mapya kwa watumishi wa afya Temeke, huku yakitarajiwa kuongeza ubunifu, ushindani na tija katika uandaaji wa tafiti zenye mchango mkubwa katika mfumo wa afya wa Tanzania.

06/12/2025

𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐑 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐌𝐑 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤.

In a milestone event for the continent, Tanzania hosted the 7th Africa Continental World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam from 2nd to 5th December 2025, reaffirming its commitment to combating AMR. The theme of WAAW was “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”. The event, inaugurated by his excellency Ambassador Dr. Emmanuel John Nchimbi, the Vice President of United Republic of Tanzania on behalf of H.E. President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan was attended by policymakers, research scientists, academicians, youth leaders and international partners to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaborations, and accelerate actionable solutions to the growing AMR threat.
The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) played an important role in the success of the week-long continental Africa commemoration. As a member of the National Multisectoral Coordinating Committee on AMR and part of the event organizing committee, NIMR contributed to shaping the agenda, coordinating sessions, and driving discussions that bridged policy, science, and practice.
NIMR scientists presented ten key studies covering clinical and environmental aspects of AMR.
NIMR research scientists presented ten key studies covering clinical and environmental aspects of AMR. Highlights included Wastewater and Environmental Surveillance for Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Profiling in Tanzania, Molecular Characterization of Extended-Spectrum-Beta- Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae among children and chickens in Korogwe District, Prevalence, Diagnostic Accuracy, and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Uropathogens in Urinary Tract Infections at Ngamiani Health Center in Tanga, Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of ESKAPE pathogens isolated from clinical samples in Tanga City, Laboratory-Based Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance in Urinary Tract Pathogens at Bombo Regional Referral Hospital, Tanga Region, and The Prevalence of Multi-Drug Resistant Salmonella typhi Isolated from Blood Samples at Selected Health Facilities in Korogwe District, Tanga.
Additional presentations showcased environmental and hospital-based surveillance, including Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Contamination on Highly Touched Surfaces among the Public Transports in Tanga City, North-Eastern Tanzania, Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae Complex in Neonatal Units in Tanga, and Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance among Bloodstream Infections at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital and Ngamiani Health Centre: A 2023–2025 Surveillance Study. The EXPAND-AMR study, led by Professor John Lusingu, Principal Investigator at NIMR Tanga, provided critical insights into overdiagnosis of urinary tract infections and associated antibiotic resistance, demonstrating actionable strategies for improved diagnostics and treatment.
Through its engagement, NIMR reinforced the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, agriculture, and environmental health perspectives while delivering evidence-based recommendations to protect Tanzania’s antibiotic resources. By showcasing scientific leadership and strategic direction, NIMR strengthens Tanzania’s position at the forefront of AMR research, policy development, and continental collaboration.
The event underscored that combating AMR requires robust laboratory infrastructure, accurate diagnostics, evidence-based treatment, and integrated One Health strategies. NIMR continues to translate research into actionable policy, safeguarding public health in Tanzania and across Africa.
Other participants from NIMR included Dr. Vito Baraka, Principal Scientist and Lead Investigator of the ODIN project; Dr. Eric Lyimo, Co-Investigator of the ODIN project; and Mr. Athanas Mhina, Laboratory Technologist. Other key NIMR contributors and scientists who actively organized, presented, and facilitated sessions throughout the event also participated, demonstrating the institute’s comprehensive engagement at all levels of the continental WAAW 2025 event.

02/12/2025

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has launched a specialized training program to members and secretariats of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), aimed at strengthening national capacity to oversee clinical trials in line with the highest scientific and ethical standards. This is the second training after the first one which was conducted to clinical trial researchers from 24th to 26th November 2025 as part of the similar initiative of the project.
Speaking during the official opening of the training, NIMR Director General, Prof. Said Aboud, said the initiative forms part of the national strategy to enhance the country’s clinical research framework at a time when rapid technological advancements and the growth of health research demand robust ethical and regulatory systems. He emphasized that the training is designed to enhance the efficiency of IRBs in receiving, analyzing, and reviewing research proposals involving human participants, while ensuring that rights, safety, and welfare of trial participants are fully protected.
Providing an overview of the training, Dr. Obadia Bishoge, Coordinator of the TRACE Project and Deputy Secretary of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC), explained that the initiative is part of the implementation of the TRACE (Trial Regulation and Clinical Ethics Optimization) Project, which is being carried out in Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria with funding from the Gates Foundation. He noted that the project aims to transform Africa’s currently fragmented and largely manual ethics and regulatory systems into harmonized, efficient, and digitally supported processes.
Dr. Bishoge further outlined that TRACE seeks to build capacity for national ethics committees and regulatory agencies, harmonize policies and guidelines to align with regional and international standards, strengthen digital systems such as RIMS and NREIMS to streamline submissions and reviews, and enhance clinical trial oversight through improved GCP and GCLP monitoring, reporting, and inspections. He added that the project also intends to support IRBs in securing accreditation and strengthening the financial sustainability of the ethics review model.
Prof. Aboud further noted that Tanzania’s ethics system operates through coordinated roles of the NIMR Medical Research Coordinating Committee (MRCC), NatHREC, and delegated accredited IRBs at institutional levels, ensuring that ethical oversight is effectively implemented from institutional to national platform.
The two-day training, organized by NIMR in collaboration with TMDA, focuses on strengthening participants’ understanding of ethical issues in clinical research, identifying and mitigating potential risks, ensuring fair benefit-sharing, preventing research misconduct and improving overall quality in the conduct of clinical trials. Participants were drawn from various IRBs across the country and were taken through key thematic areas including Overview of Clinical Trial Regulation and Oversight in Tanzania, Accreditation Requirements and Processes for IRECs/IRBs, Workflow Optimization to Reduce Review and Approval Timelines; Effective Review of Clinical Trial Protocols: Ethical and Scientific Considerations, NatHREC SOPs, and the Handling of Notifications, SAE, and SUSAR Reports.
Participants are expected to return to their institutions with enhanced knowledge that will improve integrity, transparency, and efficiency within the national clinical trial ecosystem. This training marks a significant milestone in building a trustworthy and globally competitive clinical trial environment in Tanzania.

29/11/2025

𝐀 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬

Our DANIDA-funded consortium of multidisciplinary experts is proud to launch an Early Warning System (EWAS) modelling tool designed to predict and prevent outbreaks of malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases driven by climate variability.
This initiative—led by NIMR, SUZA and the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), in close collaboration with KCRI, the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), the Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Programme (ZAMEP), and international partners—integrates a predictive model into Tanzania’s national health system (DHIS2).
This marks a promising paradigm shift: from reactive response to proactive and targeted prevention, safeguarding communities and strengthening sustainable, climate-resilient health systems.
Sincere thanks and congratulations to all DANIDA–PreVBD project partners, our dedicated staff, longstanding collaborators, and everyone who contributed their expertise to this milestone.
A powerful testament to collaboration, local leadership, and global partnership in addressing the pressing challenges at the intersection of climate and health.

28/11/2025

https://youtu.be/1KJUeRRQXfY?si=opU-DvoT4mxBr069

Kitengo cha Utafiti wa Mifumo ya Afya, Sera na Uchakataji wa Matokeo ya Tafiti NIMR kinahakikisha matokeo ya utafiti yanawafikia Watunga Sera, Watoa Maamuzi ...

26/11/2025

𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗥 𝗬𝗮𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗳𝘂𝗻𝘇𝗼 𝗞𝘂𝘄𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗮 𝗨𝘄𝗲𝘇𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗶 𝘄𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗼 𝘆𝗮 𝗞𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗯𝘂

Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR), kwa ushirikiano na Mamlaka ya Dawa na Vifaa Tiba (TMDA) leo tarehe 24/11/2025 imeendesha mafunzo maalumu ya kuwajengea uwezo watafiti wa Majaribio ya Kitabibu (Clinical Trials) kupitia Mradi wa “Trial Regulation and Clinical Ethics Optimization (TRACE) in Africa”.
Akizungumza wakati wa kufungua mafunzo hayo ya siku tatu, Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa NIMR Prof. Said Aboud amesema kuwa majaribio ya kitabibu yanakuwa magumu zaidi kadri teknolojia inavyoendelea kukua na hivyo kuhitaji wataalamu waliopewa elimu ya kutosha pamoja na mifumo madhubuti ya kusimamia maadili na kurekebu.
Prof. Said Aboud amesisitiza kuwa dhamira ya NIMR ni kuendelea kuimarisha mfumo wa kitaifa wa tafiti za kitabibu ili uendane na mahitaji ya sasa ya kisayansi na viwango vya kimataifa.
“Mafunzo haya siyo ya darasani tu. Yamebeba mbinu shirikishi ikiwemo mazoezi ya mifano halisi na uchambuzi wa matukio ili kuimarisha uwezo wa kufanya maamuzi, kutambua mapungufu ya kimaadili na kufuata matakwa ya urekebu wa tafiti,” ameongeza Prof. Aboud.
Mradi wa TRACE unalenga kuleta matokeo makuu manne, ambayo ni Kuimarishwa kwa uwezo wa kusimamia maadili na urekebu, kuongeza ufanisi na kasi ya mapitio ya maombi ya tafiti za kitabibu, Kuboresha ubora wa usimamizi na ufuatiliaji wa tafiti, kuongeza mashirikiano, upatikanaji wa taarifa na athari chanya za tafiti nchini.
Prof. Aboud amewahimiza washiriki kutumia ipasavyo mafunzo hayo na kurejea katika taasisi zao wakiwa mabalozi wazuri na wa viwango vya juu vya kitaalamu katika utekelezaji wa tafiti za kitabibu.
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