On March 27, 2025, Ifakara Health Institute had the privilege of hosting two simultaneous high-profile visits at its Bagamoyo branch— one from the House of Representatives in Zanzibar and another from Novartis, Switzerland.

These visits provided an opportunity to discuss key research initiatives, explore areas for collaboration, and strengthen partnerships in global and regional health research.

Forging stronger ties with Zanzibar

Representatives from the Zanzibar House engaged in discussions about Ifakara’s mission, vision, and overall contributions to health research. A key focus of their visit was to formalize collaboration between IHI and health institutions in Zanzibar, particularly in the field of herbal remedy research.

Led by Ifakara scientist, Dr. Kamaka Kassim, the discussions explored opportunities for joint projects and the integration of traditional medicine into modern scientific research.

Advancing clinical research with novartis

Simultaneously, the visit from the Novartis team, led by Lutz Hegemann, President of Global Health and Swiss Country Affairs, provided a platform to discuss Ifakara’s contributions to clinical trials. The discussions focused on identifying common areas of interest, exploring potential collaborations in future clinical trials, and opportunities for Ifakara to leverage Novartis' capacity-building programs.

A tour of world-class research facilities

Both delegations had the opportunity to tour Ifakara’s state-of-the-art research facilities in Bagamoyo, including its advanced laboratory, Clinical Trials Facility, and the Vector Control Product Testing Unit’s Insectary. These facilities play a critical role in supporting cutting-edge research in diagnostics, vaccine development, and vector control interventions for malaria and other infectious diseases.

The visits mark an important milestone in strengthening global and regional partnerships. By fostering collaboration, Ifakara continues to contribute to innovative health solutions that have a lasting impact on both scientific research and public health.