21.07.2025

The TAKeOFF Tanzania team at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) has officially begun implementing  the test and treat study aimed at accelerating the elimination of lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) infections. This was announced during a two-day training workshop for researchers and health-care providers from the Lindi and Mtwara regions on how to carry out the study protocol. The training, held in the conference hall of the Lindi Regional Commissioner’s Office, was formally opened by the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary of Lindi, Hon. Mwinjuma M. Mkungu. In his speech, he praised NIMR for leading health research in the country and for working closely with the Ministry of Health to design studies that aim to eradicate diseases that burden communities—especially neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). “NIMR is a key pillar in the health sector because it provides the scientific evidence needed to plan and implement effective interventions. This training is part of those efforts,” Hon. Mkungu said. 

After the workshop, researchers began collecting samples from study participants in Ruaha village, Mnazi Mmoja ward, Lindi District. The scientific study will compare different treatments for lymphatic filariasis, specifically the drugs doxycycline and moxidectin + albendazole, against the current mass-drug administration regimen of ivermectin + albendazole. Dr Akili Kalinga, NIMR’s principal investigator for the project, said the research seeks better alternative treatments that can speed up elimination of the disease in Tanzania: “We have been fighting lymphatic filariasis for many years. We expect that this study will help remove the remaining obstacles that allow infections to persist in some areas,” he said. During the sampling exercise, Ruaha Village Chairperson Ms Salima Kidamchong’we noted that the study is very important for the community because it gives residents the opportunity to know their health status. “We thank NIMR and the Ministry of Health for bringing this research to us. It is meaningful and beneficial to our people,” she said. One study participant from Ruaha village, Mr Ali Bakari Natulama, also commended NIMR, saying such studies greatly help educate the community and protect them from serious diseases like lymphatic filariasis. Currently, the disease still exists in several district councils in Tanzania, including Lindi Municipality, Mtama, Mikindani, Kinondoni and Pangani, despite major success in 114 councils where transmission has been eliminated and mass-drug administration has stopped. NIMR intends to use the study findings to improve national and global guidelines for treatment and control of these diseases, working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners.