Dar es Salaam: The National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Dar es Salaam has been officially designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) HIVResNet National Laboratory for HIV Drug Resistance (HIVDR) testing for 2025. This designation places Tanzania at the forefront of global efforts to monitor and respond to HIV drug resistance, a critical component in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic.
The designation follows NPHL’s successful demonstration of technical proficiency in genotyping HIV-1 protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase genes from plasma specimens using the ThermoFisher commercial kit. This achievement confirms the laboratory’s ability to generate high-quality, accurate data in line with international standards set by WHO’s HIV Drug Resistance Network (HIVResNet).
“This recognition is a major milestone for Tanzania and a testament to the commitment and technical excellence of our laboratory professionals,” Dr. Jean de Dieu Iragena, “It reaffirms our national leadership in HIV surveillance and strengthens our contribution to global public health.”
The WHO HIVResNet designation supports a global strategy for HIVDR surveillance, developed to ensure antiretroviral therapy remains effective and sustainable in the face of emerging drug resistance. NPHL’s inclusion in this network will play a vital role in producing robust, actionable data to inform national treatment policies and optimize patient outcomes.
“We are honored to receive this designation,” Dr. Nyambura Moremi. “It underscores the tireless work of our team and enhances our capacity to support evidence-based decisions in HIV care and treatment in Tanzania. This is not just a win for us, but for the thousands of lives we serve.”
As a designated HIVResNet laboratory, NPHL will continue to participate in WHO’s annual proficiency testing and must maintain its high standards to remain in the network in future years. WHO has emphasized the importance of notifying the organization of any significant changes to the lab’s infrastructure or leadership, ensuring sustained excellence.
“The designation of NPHL is a strong endorsement of the laboratory’s capability and commitment to public health,” said, Dr Charles Sagoe-Moses, Country Representative of WHO “We commend Tanzania’s efforts to integrate quality HIVDR surveillance into its national health strategy and look forward to continued collaboration.”
This development represents another bold step in Tanzania’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, and in ensuring that no one is left behind in the access to safe, effective, and sustainable HIV treatment
