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Research and Studies Findings |
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Introduction
The HIV epidemic in Tanzania poses a major threat to the national development.
It constitutes one of the most difficult challenges of development in our country as its causes a wider spread suffering among individuals, families and communities. It has not only managed to attack the most productive members of our communities, but also left many children orphaned and taken care of by the elderly who are also helpless. This has been a growing trend from 1983 when the first HIV/AIDS cases were reported in Kagera.
Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) is an independent Government department under the Prime Ministers' Office. It was established in 2001 by the Parliament with the mandate to provide strategic leadership for a national multisectoral response to HIV and AIDS. Its mission is to reduce the rate of infection with the HIV/AIDS virus, associated diseases and adverse social-economic effects on individuals, families and society.
HIV research
In fulfilling its mission, TACAIDS recognizes the contribution made by stakeholders to overcome challenges of HIV/AIDS in all sectors. The contribution being made by researchers on HIV/AIDS researches which will last throughout the duration of HIV/AIDS and associated infections and effects in our midst is noted.
TACAIDS has the following roles on research:
- Provision of the framework to promote and coordinate multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary research activities on HIV/AIDS
- Facilitation and supporting the formulation of research priorities to allow for rapid generation of knowledge, issues and information on HIV/AIDS
- Mobilize funds for coordination and promotion of research activities that are interventional
- These include facilitating and supporting the creation of research forum for sharing scientific information and ensure that research results are retrievable and easily accessible.
There is substantial number of HIV studies conducted by different stakeholders in the country, findings presented in and out of the country. In order to fulfill its roles TACAIDS in collaboration with research institutions and other partners managed to compile the research inventory of researches and the researchers, it has follow up strategy to update the research inventories and conducted on HIV/AIDS issues were done. The update of the researches will be done annually and shared by stakeholders See the updated research inventory list
It is hoped that strengthening the collaboration between TACAIDS and research institutions and other partners will explore the possibilities of reducing the knowledge gap of understanding the diversity of HIV epidemic in the country. Dissemination of HIV study results will be broadened. |
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Vaccine |
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HIV Vaccine development falls under prevention. For effective prevention and control of any infection, availability of safe, efficacious, affordable and universally accessible vaccine is essential. That is the same with HIV.
The development of HIV vaccine dates back late eighties in developed countries, such as the United States where the vaccine trial stated in 1987. The Vaccine developed and tried was HIV-1 vaccine which was potentially the most cost effective strategy for prevention and control of HIV-1 infection in the world and in Tanzania.
Since then more than 30 different types of vaccine have been tested in more than 100 phase I/II trials, involving many HIV negative human volunteers. Vaccine development is done in phases. There are phase one to three phases and countries are in different phases.
In Tanzania there are three project sites for preparation of vaccine clinical trials namely; Muhimbili, Mbeya and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical centre. The preparation work in Tanzania included working with a police cohort in Dar es Salaam and a community population cohort in Mbeya as well as capacity building since 1994. The European Union HIV supported the Vaccine Immunogenicity (Phase I/II) study) in Tanzania (HIVIS) beginning of 2004.
Partners
The project is done in collaboration with a number of partners with multiple technical and financial supporters such as:
- Karoliska Institute, Sweden
- Sodersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ludwig-Maximillian University, Munchen, Germany
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Bethesda, USA
The WHO and UNAIDS sponsored African AIDS Vaccine Programme establishment in 2002 in Nairobi and launched in Cape Town South Africa in June 2002. Tanzania is among more than 14 countries in the programme.
Key issues on vaccine
The HIV vaccine will work with other preventive interventions. Is not a replacement!
The Tanzanian society should continue advocacy on comprehensive prevention packages. |
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Technical Working Groups |
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Guidelines |
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Generally there is no research guidelines developed. The National Policy stipulates the roles and modalities of researches to be considered by TACAIDS. |
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Committees |
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National Research Advisory Committee
The National Research Advisory Committee is comprised by members from Ministries, research institutions, higher learning institutions, national nongovernmental organization and Gender organizations.
The current Committee has members from:
- Prime Minister's Office, Local Government and Regional Administration,
- Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS)
- Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS)
- Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
- College of Community Development , Tengeru, Arusha
- Tanzania Gender Networking Group (TGNP)
- Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC)
- Tanzania Drug Commission
- Tanzania Drug and Food Authority (TDFA)
- Economic and Social Research Foundation(ESRF)
- Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA)
Other member may be invited as deemed necessary.
Roles of the National Research Advisory Committee
- Prioritize HIV/AIDS research thematic areas which will be of focus yearly
- Initiate concrete plans to accelerate the funding of HIV and AIDS research
- Ensure that available funds are known to researchers and are allocated according to the National HIV and AIDS Research Agenda
- Provide and spearhead a national research framework for implementing, monitoring and sharing of HIV/AIDS research activities
- Work out a clear mechanism on how to coordinate, monitor and establish links to research institutions and have a common understanding
- Support TACAIDS grant committee on which kind of research should be given fund, but as well being able to stock taking the research already conducted so as to reduce duplication of the same activities among research stakeholders
- Support TACAIDS in reviewing proposal sent by relevant bodies and clearance received to reduce long waiting for Clearing Board to meet
- Forge linkages and strengthen other Research bodies
- Establish HIV and AIDS inventories and status of researches conducted in Tanzania for the purpose of informing policy makers
- Create and promote appropriate dissemination mechanisms of research findings scientifically as well as in a user-friendly languages to avoid difficult in understanding the result of research by an ordinary Tanzanian who need to use the finding for improving their health and well being.
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