The 11th Annual Tanzania Health Summit is currently underway in Zanzibar, Tanzania, from October 1-3, 2024. Themed "Igniting Progress: Joining Efforts for Quality Healthcare through Public-Private Partnerships," the summit has attracted 1,500 participants.

Two guests of honor will be featured at the event. They are Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who will grace the opening ceremony and Zanzibar President Hussein Ally Mwinyi, who is scheduled to preside over the closing ceremony.

This platform brings together healthcare leaders and institutions to discuss innovations and partnerships that are essential for improving the country’s healthcare landscape. The focus is on how public and private sector collaboration can drive quality healthcare services in Tanzania.

Ifakara’s strong representation
Ifakara Health Institute is playing a key role at the summit, with Chief Executive Director, Dr. Honorati Masanja, leading a delegation of scientists. Eight researchers from the Institute are presenting pivotal studies that cover a wide array of topics.

Justina Maganga is presenting research on social determinants of physical inactivity and unhealthy diets among adolescents living with HIV in Ifakara Town. Her study identifies lifestyle challenges these young individuals face and suggests pathways for improving their health and wellbeing.

Jilly Mseti discusses how temperature, mosquito feeding status, and mosquito density influence the efficacy of insecticide-treated nets, providing crucial insights for enhancing malaria control strategies.

Insights on malaria, mosquito control
Lina Finda addresses the topic of gene drives for malaria control, focusing on the recommendations of key African stakeholders. This emerging technology could play a significant role in malaria elimination efforts, and her presentation offers a detailed look into its potential impact and ethical considerations.

Sperancia Coelestine explores the competition between larvae of Aedes aegypti and African malaria vectors, presenting findings from a semi-field system in Tanzania. This research offers new data that could inform the ecological management of vector populations.

Improving maternal and neonatal health
Esther Elisaria presents results from the Connect Project, which works towards scalable approaches for improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services in Dodoma. Her study highlights the benefits of community-based interventions for first-time mothers.

Jitihada Baraka’s presentation delves into healthcare providers' and parents' perceptions of CPAP treatment for newborns, crucial for improving survival rates. Her research points toward the benefits of CPAP therapy for neonatal care in Tanzania.

Technology-driven solutions
Josephat Mutakyamilwa presents on mentorship programs that enhance newborn care coverage in Dar es Salaam, Mbeya, and Kilimanjaro. His findings advocate for consistent training to maintain high-quality neonatal care.

Finally, Irabi Kassim introduces a machine learning approach for forecasting CPAP demand in healthcare facilities. His innovative use of technology demonstrates how predictive models can optimize healthcare resources and improve outcomes.

Showcasing innovation at the exhibition booths
In addition to the scientific presentations, Ifakara Health Institute has an exhibition booth showcasing its research efforts. The NEST360 program, implemented by the Institute and its partners, also has a dedicated booth to highlight tools designed to improve neonatal care.

This year’s summit showcases the depth of research and innovative solutions emerging from Ifakara Health Institute, underscoring the critical role that science and technology play in driving healthcare progress in Tanzania.

Day 2: End Malaria Council Secretary visits Ifakara, NEST360 booths
On day two of the THS, the Ifakara Health Institute booth welcomed a special visitor— Adiel Mushi, Secretary of the End Malaria Council and also a representative from ALMA. His visit underscores the growing collaboration between key players in the fight against malaria. 

During his visit, Mushi engaged with Ifakara researchers, Sheikha Salum and Dr. Deborah Sumari to discuss the institute’s latest advancements in malaria control and prevention. 

This interaction highlights the shared commitment to accelerating progress towards malaria elimination in Tanzania and beyond, showcasing the vital role of partnerships in achieving impactful health outcomes.

Day 2: USAID Tanzania Deputy Director visits Ifakara booth
The Ifakara Health Institute booth at the Tanzania Health Summit had the honor of welcoming the USAID Tanzania Deputy Director Alex Klaits. During the visit, Klaits was briefed on Ifakara’s wide range of groundbreaking interventions and projects, showcasing the institute’s impactful work in areas such as malaria control, clinical trials, and health systems strengthening. 

The visit – from a key partner in public health research and program implementation - provided a platform to highlight Ifakara’s innovative approaches in improving public health outcomes and fostering long-term, sustainable solutions for communities across Tanzania.

USAID is a land standing partner to Ifakara, having supported the Institute to generate evidence and transform Tanzanians lives over the years. One of the latest funding through the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) is the PMI Shinda (Defeat) Malaria project (2023-2027) which seeks to support the Government of Tanzania towards malaria elimination.