14th July 2022
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) marked 10 years of MUHAS Scientific Conference in this years’ Conference with the theme ‘The Role of the Health Systems Research in Promoting and Sustaining Universal Health Coverage; Leveraging Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic’ held on14th to 15th July, 2022 at Muhimbili Campus.
The Conference was officiated by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Aifello Sichalwe who commended MUHAS for marking a decade since the inception of this important annual undertaking in health research. He said that this is among the greatest achievements the country has seen in the health sector.
This year’s conference drew scholars, scientists, academicians, development partners, policy makers, and other stakeholders representing different sectors and sub-sectors related to health, higher education, research and development from within and outside the country.
“Scientific and knowledge exchange in this kind of gathering helps us in the Government in many folds including to improve guidelines for management of our patients, to develop preventive measures against diseases and all of these helps to put our country in the scientific world map and adopt the best practices for improving our work,” He added.
Furthermore, the CMO said that there can never be a true economic development without good health, consequently health research institutions like MUHAS is relevant to the Tanzanian communities.
“I am proud to note that most researches conducted at MUHAS have guided formulation of policies, guidelines and procedures for the health sector in the country, which have positively impacted the lives of Tanzanians”, Dr. Sichalwe said.
In his welcoming remarks the Vice Chancellor Prof. Andrea said that over a decade, MUHAS has continued to grow and shine both nationally and internationally in quality as well as the output in research and also expand in teaching and in providing consulting services to Government, Non-Governmental Organizations as well as for the international community.
He further added that up to date, the University has over 115 ongoing sponsored research projects and programs, working with more than 100 international and local collaborating institutions, and producing between 450-500 scientific papers in reputable peer reviewed local and international journals annually and this research output has been a result of efforts by MUHAS scientists, faculty, and our collaborating partners.
In his remarks, the representative from the Swedish Embassy Johan Hellström gave appreciated MUHAS for keeping influencing and changing the Tanzania Society by conducting researches which are responsive to the needs of the country and society at large.
“Research cooperation is a key long term committed and we are committed we are encouraging other supporters, donors, the private sectors to support research activities because more funds needed in conducting researches in order to change the Tanzania society”, He said
In this event three people were awarded in recognition of their contributions, guidance and supports for the achievements of MUHAS Scientific Conference for the past ten years. These were H.E Anders Sjöberg, the Ambassador of Sweden to Tanzania, in recognition of the Government of Sweden support in building MUHAS Research capacity, Johan Hellström, the First Secretary of the Swedish Embassy and Programme Officer for Research and Innovation and Dr. Doreen Mloka, a Senior Lecturer at MUHAS and Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee of 10th MUHAS Scientific Committee.
