24th March 2023, Protea Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Sickle Pan-African Research Consortium (SPARCO) – Tanzania is one of the projects conducted at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) under the department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion which has majored in conducting research on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). SPARCO-Tanzania held its second Annual General Meeting on 24th March, 2023, involving different stakeholders from Sickle cell programme, MUHAS, Project advisors, Ministry of Health from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, representatives from hospitals which conduct SCD clinics under the project and representatives from Sickle Cell Disease Patient Communities of Tanzania.
The meeting started by presentation from the Principal Investigator (PI), Prof. Emmanuel Balandya, on progress of the project during year 2 of implementation (2022-2023), where he explained all activities conducted and the achievements made. He also thanked all stakeholders and project’s staff who attended the meeting for their continuous hard work and support which has made the project attain its year 2 achievements. He encouraged the stakehoders to keep up the teamwork spirit in Year 3. After his presentation, he introduced the Guest of Honor and welcomed him to give his speech to the audience.
The guest of honor, MUHAS Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research and Consultancy (Prof. Bruno Sunguya), started by congratulating the project leadership for working so closely with MUHAS and expressed how the university is impressed by good output of the project including many scientific writings and publications on SCD which have caused tangible positive impact on SCD in our country and beyond. He appreciated the project leadership for maintaining good progress reports for the project. Prof. Sunguya encouraged the leadership and all other stakeholders to keep up the good work and assured them of the university’s support in making sure the project accomplishes its goals
After speech from the Guest of Honor, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Agnes Jonathan, gave her presentation on the Year 3 project plans including conduct the two cross-consortium studies. Presentation of the two cross-consortium studies was done by the Study Leads; Dr. Ritah Mutagonda, Lead of the Malaria Chemoprophylaxis study and Dr. Lulu Chirande, Lead of the Newborn Screening (NBS) study. Subsequently, there were presentations from Data Coordinator (Mr. Daniel Kandonga) and all SPARCO-Tanzania Satellites Coordinators which are Muhimbili National Hospital, Mnazi Mmoja Hospital – Zanzibar, Bugando Medical Centre – Mwanza, Bagamoyo District Hospital, Kisarawe District Hospital and Mkuranga District Hospital who presented on state of SCD care, enrolment and follow-up of patients at their clinics as well as achievements and challenges faced. Project Coordinator of Sickle CHARTA (Dr. Daima Bukini) gave a presentation on advanced therapy for SCD.
In ending the meeting, there was a reflection session led by SPARCO-Tanzania Advisor Prof. Eligius Lyamuya which aimed at gathering thoughts from stakeholders on the Annual General Meeting and areas for future improvements. Lastly, Project’s Skills and Training Coordinator, Dr. Irene Kida Minja, gave Vote of Thanks to all participants for taking part in this timely event. She encouraged all members to continue the teamwork spirit and that Together We Can.
