DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzanian government said it sees great opportunities to develop strategic cooperation with the US Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), especially in strengthening early warning systems for the detection of infectious diseases, their monitoring and data analysis, technology transfer, and strengthening domestic research capacity through its institutions.
This was stated by the Chief Medical Officer of the Government, Dr Grace Magembe, today during a meeting with the US Army Research Institute ‘Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’ (WRAIR) held in Dar es Salaam.
“Tanzania has set specific priorities to strengthen disease surveillance and response (IDSR) systems, expand the scope of laboratory capacity, including genetic surveillance, strengthen digital health systems and the use of data for decision-making,” said Dr Magembe
Adding, she described the capacity of Kibong’oto hospital in conducting research and the National Laboratory in detecting and monitoring diseases, where all these institutions have received international accreditation.
For his part, Colonel Brianna Perata, who is the Commander of the US Army Research Institute, has promised that the US Army Institute will continue cooperation with Tanzania, especially in various research to improve the health sector in the country and requested continued cooperation with Tanzania.
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Areas recommended for immediate cooperation in the session include collecting, integrating, and analyzing data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), strengthening the integration of digital health data and laboratories into a single national system, and strengthening the capacity of regional laboratories, especially in border areas.