The Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adolf Mkenda, has emphasized the need for Tanzania to increase investment in scientific research to tackle health challenges.

During a visit to the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in Bagamoyo, he highlighted that while Tanzania possesses human resources and expertise, greater funding, modern equipment, and supportive environments are essential for high-quality research.

Mkenda stressed that locally developed medicines must undergo rigorous testing stages, including pre-clinical trials in Tanzania, to ensure safety and effectiveness.

He also called for collaboration between ministries, universities, and research institutions to study medicinal plants and develop affordable treatments.The minister warned against relying on foreign technologies, urging the government to secure intellectual property rights for local innovations.

Additionally, he advocated for modernizing research labs with advanced tools like genetic analysis machines and adopting long-term plans to procure equipment independently.

Mkenda also noted that President Samia Suluhu Hassan's visit to Russia opened opportunities for educational and scientific partnerships, encouraging Tanzanians to leverage these ties for biotechnology and pharmaceutical advancements.The minister concluded that without utilizing scientists' expertise, Tanzania would fail to achieve its development goals.