The Ifakara Health Institute senior management team, led by the Chief Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja and Director of Science, Dr. Ally Olotu, on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Prof. Tumaini Nagu, in Dodoma.

The team, also included heads of research and training departments: Dr. Sally Mtenga (Health Systems, Interventions, Impact Evaluation and Policy); Dr. Emmanuel Kaindoa (Environmental Health and Ecological Sciences); Dr. Jerry Hella (Biomedical Research and Clinical Trials); and Dr. Kafuruki Shubis (Training and Capacity Building). 

The team also included the Chief of Party of the PMI-funded Shinda Malaria Project, Dr. Dunstan Bishanga and two research scientists: Dr. Grace Mwangoka and Donat Shamba.

The team actively participated in the CMO's meeting during which Ifakara got the opportunity to showcase its impactful work aimed to generate evidence for the purpose of transforming people’s lives in Tanzania and beyond. 

Dr. Masanja highlighted Ifakara's leading role in the fight against malaria and recent breakthroughs in malaria vaccine development. Concluding his presentation, Dr. Masanja invited the CMO to visit the Institution and witness firsthand the ongoing initiatives aimed to support the government of Tanzania tackle priority health challenges.

In her remarks, the CMO Prof. Tumaini Nagu, whose portfolio falls under the Ministry of Health, commended Ifakara's work and called for increased collaboration between her Office and the institute. 

Dr. Nagu also addressed the changing patterns of malaria transmission due to climate change, cautioning against its hindrance to the country's malaria elimination efforts.