The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)

TAKeOFF > The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)

Upendo Mwingira

The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)
3 Barack Obama Drive
P. O. Box 9653
11101 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Tel: +255-22-2121400
Fax: +255-22-2121360
hq@nimr.or.tz/ info@nimr.or.tz

Tel. No.: +255 783 276 177
Fax No.: +255 22 2121376
Email:  umwingira@yahoo.com

Upendo John Mwingira, PhD candidate at Munich University Germany, a holder of Masters in Tropical Medicine (Nagasaki University, Japan), Doctor of Medicine Degree (Russian Peoples Friendship University, Russia). Dr Mwingira has more than 10 years of working experience in the areas of public health, research in Tropical Medicine through holding various posts including Medical Officer (Muhimbili National Hospital), research scientist and monitoring and evaluation officer at the National Filariasis Elimination Programme at the National Institute for Medical Research, NIMR (2004-2009). She is the national programme manager for Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme under the Directorate of Preventive Services of the Ministry of Health. As a national coordinator for NTDs, she is the primary contact and a link between the government and Partners/Donors with regard to NTDs in the country. She oversees the implementation of the Neglected Tropical diseases control and elimination activities at all levels. She has successfully coordinated the national Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaigns on NTDs in 26 regions and 185 districts, hydrocelectomy and Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) Camps in various districts. Dr. Mwingira is a member of the disease specific working Group of the Ministry of health, Tanzania Medical association (MAT), Tanzania public health association (TPHA) as well as the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH).

Dr Mwingira is a member the WHO-Working group for NTD M&E and also a member of Onchocerciasis Technical Advisory subgroup (OTS) at global level. She is involved in development and implementation of various research and programme activities including grants applications and management at country level. Dr. Mwingira is a Principal Investigator for various research projects on NTDs and co –author for a number of international publications in the area of Tropical Medicine.

Areas of Expertise include

  • Infectious diseases
  • Public health
  • Research on Neglected Diseases
  • Monitoring, evaluation and Surveillance of tropical diseases
  • Programme management

National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) aims to remain at the forefront of research for health by maintaining its competitive advantage in the key areas of biomedical sciences, social determinants of health and health systems and policy. NIMR’s vision, mission, strategies and metrics for success are articulated in this five year strategic plan, advancing health research, enhancing life. By successfully implementing the strategies outlined in this plan. NIMR inspirational goal is to ensure health research impacts to the country’s socioeconomic transformation through healthy people. During the 2008-2013 period, the number of research centres has increased from 6 (Amani, Mwanza, Muhimbili, Tabora, Tanga and Tukuyu) to 8 following the Gazetting of Mbeya and Ngongongare as research centres in November 2010 (The Institute for Medical Research, Proclamation (Amendment) Order, 2010). Over the past 5 years, the Institute has expanded in its scope to include several clinical trials in malaria, HIV and tuberculosis. In addition, there has been improvement in terms of laboratory infrastructure including the construction of the Tabora Medical Laboratory, Mwanza Intervention Trial Unit and Mwanza Neglected Diseases Clinical Centre.

List of most recent publications/conferences:

  1. Miho Sato, Melkidezek T Leshabari, Mayumi Ohnishi, Sumihisa Honda, Deogratias Maufi, Upendo John Mwingira: Measuring three aspects of motivation among health workers at primary level health facilities in rural Tanzania. PLoS ONE 05/2017; 12(5)., DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0176973
  1. Upendo J Mwingira, Philip Downs, Cecilia Uisso, Maria Chikawe, Matthieu Sauvage-Mar, Mwelecele N Malecela, Kathryn Crowley, Jeremiah M Ngondi: Applying a mobile survey tool for assessing lymphatic filariasis morbidity in Mtwara Municipal Council of Tanzania. DOI:10.21037/mhealth.2017.03.01
  1. Upendo J Mwingira, George Kabona, Mathias Kamugisha, Edward Kirumbi, Bernard Kilembe, Alistidia Simon, Andreas Nshala, Deogratias Damas, Alphonsina Nanai, Mwelecele Malecela, Maria Chikawe, Christina Mbise, Harran Mkocha, Patrick Massae, Humphrey R Mkali, Lisa Rotondo, Kathryn Crowley, Rebecca Willis, Anthony W Solomon, Jeremiah M Ngondi: Progress of Trachoma Mapping in Mainland Tanzania: Results of Baseline Surveys from 2012 to 2014. Ophthalmic epidemiology 10/2016; 23(6):1-8., DOI:10.1080/09286586.2016.1236974
  1. Inge Kroidl, Elmar Saathoff, Lucas Maganga, Petra Clowes, Leonard Maboko, Achim Hoerauf, Williams H. Makunde, Antelmo Haule, Prisca Mviombo, Bettina Pitter, Neema Mgeni, Joseph Mabuye, Dickens Kowuor, Upendo Mwingira, Mwelecele N. Malecela, Thomas Löscher, Michael Hoelscher: Correction: Prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis and Treatment Effectiveness of Albendazole/ Ivermectin in Individuals with HIV Co-infection in Southwest-Tanzania. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 08/2016; 10(8):e0004967., DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004967
  1. Upendo Mwingira, Arianna Rubin Means, Maria Chikawe, Bernard Kilembe, Dafrossa Lyimo, Andreas Nshala, Alex Mphuru: Integrating Neglected Tropical Disease and Immunization Programs: The Experiences of the Tanzanian Ministry of Health. The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 05/2016; 95(3)., DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.15-0724
  1. Inge Kroidl, Elmar Saathof, Lucas Maganga, Petra Clowes, Leonard Maboko, Achim Hoerauf, Williams H. Makunde, Antelmo Haule, Prisca Mviombo, Bettina Pitter, Neema Mgeni, Joseph Mabuye, Dickens Kowuor, Upendo Mwingira, Mwelecele N. Malecela, Thomas Löscher, Michael Hoelscher: Prevalence of Lymphatic Filariasis and Treatment Effectiveness of Albendazole/ Ivermectin in Individuals with HIV Co-infection in Southwest-Tanzania. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 04/2016; 10(4):e0004618., DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0004618
  1. Mwele Malecela, Upendo Mwingira, Sultani Matendechero, Michael Gichangi, Rebecca Oenga, Paul Emerson, Teshome Gebre, Girija Sankar: A case for South-South collaboration for trachoma elimination. Community eye health / International Centre for Eye Health 01/2016; 29(95):58-58.
  1. Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, Tina Dannemann Purnat, Nguyen Thi Anh Phuong, Upendo Mwingira, Karsten Schacht, Günter Fröschl: Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in developing countries: A symposium report. Globalization and Health 12/2014; 10:81., DOI:10.1186/s12992-014-0081-9
  1. Olivier J Wouters, Philip W Downs, Kathryn L Zoerhoff, Kathryn R Crowley, Hannah Frawley, Jennifer Einberg, Brian K Chu, Molly A Brady, Roland Oscar, Mireille Jeudi, Anne-Marie Desormeaux, Karleen Coly, Abdel N Direny, Garib D Thakur, Raj K Pokharel, Shekhar Sharma, Dharmpal P Raman, Santigie Sesay, Mustapha Sonnie, Bernard Kilembe, Upendo Mwingira, Aya Yajima: Resource Planning for Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Control Programs: Feasibility Study of the Tool for Integrated Planning and Costing (TIPAC). PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 02/2014; 8(2):e2619., DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002619
  1. Brian K Chu, Michael Deming, Nana-Kwadwo Biritwum, Windtaré R Bougma, Améyo M Dorkenoo, Maged El-Setouhy, Peter U Fischer, Katherine Gass, Manuel Gonzalez de Peña, Leda Mercado-Hernandez, Dominique Kyelem, Patrick J Lammie, Rebecca M Flueckiger, Upendo J Mwingira, Rahmah Noordin, Irene Offei Owusu, Eric A Ottesen, Alexandre Pavluck, Nils Pilotte, Ramakrishna U Rao, Dilhani Samarasekera, Mark A Schmaedick, Sunil Settinayake, Paul E Simonsen, Taniawati Supali, Fasihah Taleo, Melissa Torres, Gary J Weil, Kimberly Y Won: Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS) to Define Endpoints for Lymphatic Filariasis Mass Drug Administration: A Multicenter Evaluation. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 12/2013; 7(12):e2584., DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0002584
  1. Prince P. Mutalemwa, William N. Kisinza, Jenesta A. Urassa, Stafford N. Kibona, Upendo Mwingira, Christina Lasway, Stella P. Kilima, Filemon Tenu, Stella Mujaya, William J. Kisoka: Integrating reproductive and child health and HIV services in Tanzania: Implication to policy, systems and services. Tanzania Journal of Health Research 04/2013; 15(2)., DOI:10.4314/thrb.v15i2.8
  1. M N Malecela, U Mwingira, M E Mwakitalu, C Kabali, E Michael, C D Mackenzie: The sharp end – experiences from the Tanzanian programme for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis: notes from the end of the road. Pathogens and Global Health 10/2009; 103 Suppl 1(Supplement-1):S53-7., DOI:10.1179/000349809X12502035776676
  1. C D Mackenzie, W M Lazarus, M E Mwakitalu, U Mwingira, M N Malecela: Lymphatic filariasis: patients and the global elimination programme. Pathogens and Global Health 10/2009; 103 Supply 1(Supplement-1):S41-51., DOI:10.1179/000349809X12502035776630
  2. M.N. Malecela, W. Lazarus, U. Mwingira, E. Mwakitalu, C. Makene, C. Kabali, C. Mackenzie: Eliminating LF: A progress report from Tanzania. Journal of Lymphoedema 01/2009; 4(1):10-12.

Staff & Students on the TAKeOFF project

  1. Upendo Mwingira (MD, MSc) – PI    umwingira@yahoo.com    +255 783 276 177
  1. Abdallah Ngenya (MBBS, MSc) – Project Manager abdallahngenya@gmail.com +255719223937
  1. Maria Chikawe (MD,MPH) – Project Clinician Will work on her doctoral thesis on TakeOFF-Le doxy –  chindallimaria@gmail.com  +255767454475
  1. Haile Mposheleye – Project Accountant – maliyasafi@yahoo.com   +255713635462
X