Focus on deadly diseases, medical researchers told

Health and Social Welfare minister Prof David Mwakyusa has challenged medical researchers to concentrate on diseases such as cancer, blood pressure and diabetes since they account for more than 60 per cent of deaths in the country. He threw the challenge in Dar es Salaam yesterday when launching a new council for the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR). He urged the centre to start giving priority to normal diseases instead of concentrating on researching infectious diseases. “There are so many deaths caused by cancer, blood pressure and diabetes. We want to get proper treatment for the diseases. Your research will enable us change the policy and medical treatment strategies towards ending the problems”, he said.He also urged NIMR to ensure that research on malaria vaccination was completed as soon as possible so that the disease was consigned to the heap of history.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Professor David Mwakyusa.

Prof Mwakyusa said the government planned to increase funding for research due to its importance, adding that without concrete researches it would be difficult for the government to review health policies and ensure quality medical services for the people. NIMR Director General Dr Mwele Malecela said the institute had a six-year strategic plan to improve its services which includes construction of modern laboratories, improving the working environment and collaboration with international research institutes. Malecela said the institute was also striving to become one of the major medical institutes in the East African Community (EAC) region. Dr Malecela said the institute was facing an acute shortage of funds, whereby since the year 2007/08 it had been depending on donors. She said the last time the government provided it with funds amounting to 1.4bn/- was in financial year 2006/2007. Meanwhile, newly appointed council chairman Prof Samuel Masele promised to work hard to ensure sustainable medical research in the country is achieved.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN