KONGAMANO LA 27 LA SAYANSI LA TAASISI YA TAIFA YA UTAFITI WA MAGONJWA YA BINANAMU NA KONGAMANO LA PILI LA AFYA MOJA AFRIKA LAMALIZIKA JIJINI ARUSHA

Naibu katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mawasiliano Sayansi na Teknolojia, Dr Patrick Makungu, akisoma hutuba ya kufunga  Kongamano la 27 la Sayansi la Taasisi ya taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binanamu Tanzania (NIMR)na kongamano la pili la afya moja afrika  lililoandaliwa na  Taasisi ya Taifa ya Utafiti wa Magonjwa ya Binadamu (NIMR) kwa kushirikiana na Kituo cha Utafiti na Udhibiti wa Magonjwa Ambukizi cha Nchi za Kusini mwa Afrika (SACIDS) na Mtandao wa “Afya Moja” Afrika ya Kati na Mashariki (OHCEA) na kufanyika kwa siku nne kuanzia tarehe 16-19 April 2013 katika Hoteli ya Snow Crest, Arusha. Dk. Makungu alifunga kongamano hilo kwaniaba ya Katibu Mkuu wake, Dk Florens Turuka. 

Katika Mkutano huo pia wanasayansi chipukizi kadhaa walitunukiwa tuzo mbalimbali zikiwapo tuzo ya Mwanasayansi bora anaechipukia iliyotoka kwa Prof. Wencelaus Kilama na kuchukuliwa na Emmanuel Kifaro pamoja na Grades Stanley, Tuzo ya ya Kisayansi ya Mlima Kilimanjaro ilikwenda kwa Erick Lymo na Alfred Geofrey, Tuzo ya Mwanasayansi bora Mwanamke Kijana iliyotoka kwa Dr. Maria Kamm na ilichukuliwa na Zainab Mchome.

Naibu katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mawasiliano Sayansi na Teknolojia, Dr Patrick Makungu, akimkabidhi Tuzo Erick Lymo aliyetwaa Tuzo ya Kisayansi ya Mlima Kilimanjaro

Naibu katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mawasiliano Sayansi na Teknolojia, Dr Patrick Makungu, akimkabidhi Tuzo Grades Stanley aliyetwaa Tuzo ya Mwanasayansi Anayechipukia.

Naibu katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mawasiliano Sayansi na Teknolojia, Dr Patrick Makungu, akimkabidhi Tuzo Zainab Mchome aliyetwaa Tuzo ya Mwanasayansi Bora Mwanamke Kijana.

Naibu katibu Mkuu Wizara ya Mawasiliano Sayansi na Teknolojia, Dr Patrick Makungu, akimkabidhi Tuzo Alfred Geofrey aliyetwaa Tuzo ya Kisayansi ya Mlima Kilimanjaro.

 Mgeni Rasmi na viongozi wa meza kuu wakipiga pichya pamoja na  Washindi wa Tuzo hizo za Kisayansi kwa Wanasayansi Chipukizi ambapo lengo ni kuhamasisha zaidi Vijana hao katika kujiendeleza na kufanya tafiti za kina.

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SPEECH MADE BY DR. FLORENS TURUKA, PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DURING CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 27^TH NIMR ANNUAL JOINT SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND 2^ND ONE HEALTH CONFERENCE IN AFRICA AT THE SNOW CREST HOTEL, ARUSHA, 19^TH APRIL 2013

Conference Chairperson, Dr. Mwelecele Malecela

Regional Commissioner for Arusha, Mr. Magesa Malongo

SACIDS Executive Director, Prof. Mark Rweyemamu

OHCEA Country Focal Person, Prof. Japhet Killewo

Representatives of Government Ministries

Members of Conference Organizing Committee

Distinguished Guests,

Conference Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be with you during this closing ceremony. May I take this opportunity, firstly, to thank the National Institute for Medical Research and Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance, for inviting me to officiate the closing ceremony of the 27^th Annual Joint Scientific Conference and 2^nd One Health Conference in Africa. May I also take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate all those who have made presentations and contributed in one way or another to make this conference such a great success. For the past four days you have been kept busy presenting, listening and discussing various subjects related to the conference theme: “Changing Landscape in Health Research in Africa”

I believe, the conference theme and sub-themes could not have been timed well than now

Chairperson

I have gone through your conference programme, and I noted that in addition to the conference presentations, time was set aside for plenary sessions and symposia of state of art lectures on various subjects that were followed by parallel sessions and discussions on issues related to one health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, health systems water, hygiene and sanitation, sexual and reproductive health.

From the discussions arising out of these presentations, the conference has made several recommendations, submitted to me a few minutes ago.

The Conference has gone a milestone in the sense that the new National Health Research Priorities have been officially launched. It is my expectations that all health research institutions in the country will use the document as reference point for developing their research agenda, strategic and annual plans.

I am also happy to learn that the session on One Health approach has ended with the understanding of that a new approach in the fight against zoonoses has been agreed. The conference has confirmed and agreed on the added value the One Health approach brings to the humans, livestock, wildlife and environmental health.

I trust we all realize the great importance of these recommendations. We all realise that our health systems need to be strengthened to cope with the changing landscape in health service provision. Only research evidences will provide solutions to the multitude of health problems we are facing to date. We need appropriate evidenced-based tools to provide high-quality, affordable, and equitable care to all. I would also like to take this opportunity to applaud the efforts of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for its commitments to strengthen health research in the country.

Chairperson,

I also note with satisfaction that, this conference has attracted people of different disciplines from both within and outside the country. In the same vein, let me also call upon them to take advantage of this conference and other venues like this to seek information that could suit their needs. I am informed that over 160 presentations were made during the conference from both local and international scientists.

Chairperson

You have been through four hectic yet fruitful days. I believe, as you will be leaving Arusha, you are better informed and better prepared to carry out your duties. May I therefore, wish you farewell on your return home. I am also sure that during your stay in Arusha, you had time within the tight Conference program to visit our tourist attractions taking into account that this was one of the golden opportunities to hit two birds with a single stone as Arusha embraces natural, archaeological and historical places.

As always I have enjoyed the prize giving ceremony, which promotes young scientists giving them visibility and appreciating their work. I am told that there will be a prize giving ceremony and am honoured to be officiating this for three consecutive years. To the winners I hope the prize will be an incentive to spur you on in your pursuit to become excellent scientists.

May I at this juncture declare the 27^th Annual Scientific Conference of the National Institute for Medical Research and 2^nd One Health Conference in Africa, officially closed.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING