Arba Minch University (AMU) hosted the 19th Annual Tuberculosis (TB) Research National Conference alongside with the World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) commemoration event aiming to tackle pressing issues on TB prevention and control in Ethiopia and beyond in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Southern Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau, and the TB Research Advisory Council (TRAC) from March 21 to 23, 2025. The conference gathered health professionals, researchers, and policymakers under the theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”. Click here to see more photos.
Dr. Dereje Duguma, the state minister of Health, during his opening address, emphasized the need for increased political commitment and resource mobilization to strengthen TB prevention strategies. He remarked that “Investment is crucial to achieving our goal of ending TB,” urging stakeholders to collaborate in addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to the disease's spread. Dr. Dereje spoke details on seven years strategy of controlling TB and leprosy, incredible achievements recorded in TB diagnosis improvements, community engagements, TB treatments and challenges; TB Research Advisory Council/TRAC/ is a significant platform to link programs to academia, so the ministry of health along with others remains committed to support it, he remarked. He also asked the audience to chant the slogan of the annual event together with him “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”.
Abdella Kemal (PhD, Ing), president of Arba Minch University/AMU/, expressed his pride in hosting participants from Ethiopia and abroad and noted that the event was a pivotal step in the fight against TB. He emphasized the university's commitment to combating TB through innovative research and impactful policy development; the significant strides made in reducing TB incidences, but pointed out that Ethiopia remains one of the 13 countries facing a high burden of child TB, he said. Furthermore, Dr. Abdella also articulated his hope that the conference would catalyze vital health initiatives and foster collaborations aimed at eradicating TB. The university is committed to improving national health outcomes strongly working with others, hence it has built its teaching and comprehensive specialized hospital to serve over seven million people in the region, he underscored.
Prof. Afework Kassu, TRAC Chairperson and Director General of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute/AHRI/, highlighted the essential role of collaboration in the fight against TB. He reflected on TRAC’s achievements since its establishment in 2001 including capacity building and strategic roadmaps for TB research. Prof. Afework called upon all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to fight against TB declaring “Together, we are not just aiming to fight TB, but we are working so hard to ensure that future generations will inherit a world where TB is no longer a threat”.
Mr. Endashaw Shibru, Head of the Southern Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau, reinforced the commitment to enhancing TB prevention and control through community engagement and strategic partnerships. He noted that the region has successfully screened 31% of TB patients and targeted for 40% in the near future. Mr. Endashew also noted that with a 10 days campaign of TB screening in the community in South Ethiopia Regional State/SERS/ from around 1070 cases, 27 cases were from prisons and 7 were with drug resistant TB.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Owen L. Kaluwa, WHO Representative in Ethiopia, highlighted the global gravity of the TB epidemic and presented alarming statistics noting approximately 168,000 new cases and 25,000 deaths in Ethiopia in 2023. He emphasized the need for a multisectoral approach to effectively combat TB and urged for renewed political commitment and stakeholders’ support. Dr. Bedru Aba Mecha, Regional Representative for GLRA East Africa, echoed the same sentiments advocating for targeted investments and innovative strategies to address the social determinants of health.
Taye Letta, Head of the National TB Programs at the Ministry of Health delivering a comprehensive status update and speaking on the National TB Program, gave a lowdown on the current global and national TB situation, trends in case notifications, ongoing challenges in combating the disease, and the progress towards ending TB; he also highlighted on the importance of End TB Strategy, the need for enhanced treatment coverage and collective action.
Dr. Abreham Aseffa, an esteemed adjunct senior scientist at AHRI and founder of TRAC, presenting on what Ethiopia should do to end TB, discussed, the significance of implementation of research as a critical tool in achieving global TB milestones. While effective tools are available, a deeper understanding of their application is essential for eradication efforts and the conference serves as a platform of a clarion call for unity and collaboration in the ongoing fight against TB, he reiterated.
Teklu Wegayehu (PhD), Vice president for research and cooperation, said, despite the deadliest nature and its complexity of being of lung, bone, intestine, blood, etc. of TB, it gives light of hope to defend and eradicate it when one sees the efforts being made by researchers, care takers and other governmental and non-governmental institutions. From the research presentations, it’s learnt that the risk factors are many and complex; hence we need to be ready more and tackle it until it’s no more a threat for humanity, reaffirmed.
The TRAC Award 2025 was presented to TB research, medical care service, management and recorded exemplary achievements on individual, institutional, regional and City Administration levels. The year’s awardees include: in medical care service S/R Enatmesay Koste and Mr. Tesfaye Lemango, in impactful research work Dr. Degu Jerrene and Mr. Getu Deriba, in management Dr. Melisew Kassu and Dr. Andargachew Kumsa and in lifetime service dedication Mr. Melkamsew Aschalew and Dr. Getachew Wondimagegn received their awards and prizes. Dr. Abreham Assefa received TRAC 2025 Special Award; South Ethiopia, Oromia and Amhara regional states and Addis Ababa City Administration were also recognized for their achievements recorded in the year.
Notable government figures including Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, and other representatives from various governmental and non-governmental organizations have graced this important event. Over 100 research abstracts submitted on TB, 27 of them were selected for oral presentations; it’s planned enough to facilitate discussion focused on innovative strategies to combat TB; a disease that continues to threaten public health worldwide causing millions of deaths despite its treatability and curability.
The annual Research Conference and WTD Commemoration is hopped to unfold unwavering commitment, collaboration, and innovation towards combating and ending TB successfully, thus the event will play a crucial role in shaping Ethiopia’s response to TB and contribute to the global ambition of ending the disease by 2030. The collective determination of all stakeholders reaffirms their resolve to ensure the future generations inherit a world free from the threat of tuberculosis. Selected top paper presenters, sponsors, organizing institutions and different committee members were recognized and certified for their contributions.
The presentations were moderated by Dr. Desta Galcha, Chief Executive Director of College of Medicine and Health Sciences of AMU, along with Dr. Andargachew Kumsa and others. Dr. Mesfin Mamo masters the ceremony.
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