The golden Jubilee of the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) was colorfully celebrated in Ethiopia. Organized by Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) the event was attended by members of the TDR Global Africa and Ethiopia Node, fellows, grantees and other distinguished guests.
Prof Afework Kassu, Director General of AHRI, on his opening remark said that TDR has played a pivotal role in addressing diseases of poverty, improving health outcomes, and strengthening research capacity globally since its establishment in 1974.
The director general also said the collaboration between TDR and Ethiopian Higher Education Intuitions, AHRI, and EPHI has been pivotal in fostering research that addresses diseases affecting the most vulnerable populations.
This partnership has not only facilitated the exchange of knowledge and expertise but has also been instrumental in building local capacity for research and development, he added.
These efforts significantly impacted healthcare practices, including the introduction, testing, and branding of diagnostic tools. TDR’s support, alongside AHRI’s involvement, led to resources like the malaria case management guide, childhood illness guidelines, biorepositories, validation of a new TB diagnostic tool, and many more.
TDR has also played a pivotal role on establishment of Tuberculosis Research Advisory Council (TRAC) in 2001 and the Southern and East African Regional Network for TB Control (SEARN-TB) a regional network established in 2023 learning from the impacts of TRAC and TDR supported WARN/CARN TB. It has also helped in Strengthening Health and Biomedical Research Ethics through the Pan-African Bioethics Initiative (PABIN), and the Ethiopian Bioethics Initiative (ETBIN), the secretariates of which are based at AHRI.
The 5 decades of collaboration between Africa and Ethiopia with TDR has been a shining example of what can be achieved when institutions unite for a common cause. It is a story of shared vision, mutual respect, and collective action towards a healthier future for all.
Prof. Afework Kassu,
DG of AHRI
Multidimensional contributions of TDR in Africa and Ethiopia, Experiences of TDR grantees and fellows were shared and discussed during the event.
Following that participants visited research facilities of AHRI, where the second phase of the celebration, the TDR Ethiopia Node meeting was held.
Dr Alemseged Abdissa, Deputy Director General of AHRI and Chairperson of TDR Global Ethiopia Node, indicated that the Ethiopian Node has the following objectives:
Mentoring early and mid-career scientists;
Attract funding for research and capacity strengthening
Student connection to global learning experiences through student mobility scheme
Co-ordinate activities and facilitate and promote the dissemination and exchange of information
about the TDR Global Ethiopia node.
TDR is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty. As indicated on its official website TDR is co-sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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