Tanzania marks Health Day with a call to increase scientific research for health systems

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), and partners from CHIEB, has called on African countries to increase investment in science, research, and innovation to strengthen health systems and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare. The call was made in Dar es Salaam during the commemoration of World Health Day.

Speaking on behalf of the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Thomas Fedjo, noted that Africa has made significant progress in the health sector in recent years. He highlighted key achievements, including the development of Ebola vaccines, improved capacity for early detection of new COVID-19 variants, and ongoing efforts to manufacture vaccines within the continent.

However, he emphasized that several challenges persist, including the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, emerging disease outbreaks, and weak health systems. He stressed that these challenges cannot be addressed by individual countries alone but require coordinated collaboration among governments, health professionals, and communities. He also underscored the importance of the “One Health” approach in addressing interconnected health risks involving humans, animals, and the environment.

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On his part, Siril Kulaya, Technical Director of the Global Health Security Project at CHIEB, stated that investment in health science and technology is a critical foundation for responding to disease outbreaks rapidly and effectively. He added that the CHIEB project continues to strengthen disease surveillance systems and develop innovative approaches to address health challenges across Africa.

Meanwhile, Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, Director of Research Promotion and Coordination at NIMR, explained that the institute is advancing scientific research focused on non-communicable diseases and emerging outbreaks. He noted that through collaboration with WHO and CHIEB, NIMR aims to ensure that research findings are translated into practical improvements in health systems and deliver tangible benefits to communities.

According to the report, a total of 46 African countries have developed national health security plans, with each country also implementing strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, several countries have strengthened their disease surveillance systems, a critical step in preventing and controlling disease outbreaks.