Tanzania

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)

MUHAS is the leading higher learning institution for health sciences in Tanzania. Currently, MUHAS offers seven pre-degree, 15 undergraduate and 81 postgraduate programs, and trains over 85% of the country’s medical, laboratory, and public health specialists. The university also takes the leading role in research in biomedical sciences in the country, having the greatest number of research projects and publications. MUHAS’ vision is to provide quality training, research, and services in health and related fields for attainment of equitable socioeconomic development for the Tanzanian community and beyond.

MUHAS recently updated their research agenda to highlight 15 priority research themes, including: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, reproductive health, child health, non-communicable diseases, injuries, health systems, neglected tropical diseases, health professions education, antimicrobial resistance, social determinants of health, mental health, oral/dental health, and bioethics. These align with the Tanzania Government’s research priorities as well as the UN’s health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MUHAS has long-standing collaborations in training and research with the University of California. Currently, the MUHAS-UCSF collaboration includes two FIC-funded training grants, the Transforming Health Professions Education in Tanzania (Kwesigabo, R25TW011227) and Building a Cancer Research Training Program in Tanzania (Van Loon, D43TW011598). Additionally, for more than 10 years the UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery has partnered with MUHAS and the Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) on both educational and research initiatives, including bidirectional exchange of trainees, an annual educational course, and dozens of research projects and clinical trials. Further collaboration around surgical diseases is currently focused on education and training, capacity building, and research in general and minimally invasive, vascular, and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, among other subspecialties. Other ongoing collaborative research programs are in the areas of HIV, sickle cell disease, and pediatric sepsis.

MUHAS looks forward to continued participation in the GloCal consortium as a way to sustain pivotal mentored research of junior scientists and support the institution in developing further research expertise and health impact.

Site contact: Dr. Hendry Sawe