Dr. Elisha Osati, an Internal Medicine Physician at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and researcher has been appointed as new chairman of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NatHREC) and the Clinical Trial Sub-Committee of the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) of Tanzania, effective February 2025.
He was elected to this position by the committee members on January 30. According to details gathered by MedicoPRESS from committee members, the new chairperson will lead for a three year-term, with room for re-election for one more term. NatHREC which he now leads, is a committee established in 2002 with a primary mandate to safeguard the ethical conduct of all health research projects undertaken within Tanzania’s borders.
Osati succeeds Dr. Khadija Malima, an epidemiologist, whose tenure has come to an end. The new appointment marks a new chapter for NatHREC, which plays a crucial role in overseeing all health research conducted within the country.
As chairperson, Osati is now tasked with presiding over committee meetings, ensuring they are conducted in accordance with all relevant regulations. He will also work closely with the Secretariat to identify research proposals that qualify for expedited review, facilitating a more streamlined process for appropriate studies.
Speaking to MedicoPRESS, Osati expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, saying: “To me this is an excellent opportunity to regulate and contribute to the development of medical research in the country. We will work together with other institutions in the country and innovators to develop the art and science of health issues in Tanzania.”
Who is Osati?
Osati, a reviewer for several prominent health journals, including the British Medical Journal, Heart & Lung, Tanzania Medical Journal, and the East African Journal of Public Health, is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and an Internal Medicine graduate of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam. He has also contributed significantly to the field with several research publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals and has led several clinical and public health research projects as a Principal Investigator.
His academic credentials also include a Mastery Certificate in Infectious Diseases from Dartmouth Medical School, New Hampshire, USA; a Mastery Certificate in Leadership from the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) Berlin, Germany; and a Fellowship from the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research Leadership (FAIMER) at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and Makerere University, Uganda.
Also read: Inside Tanzania’s COVID-19 research agenda: The Rise, Fall and Rise again
Currently, he is pursuing a PhD at MUHAS, focusing on the cardio-pulmonary sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond his academic achievements, Dr. Osati is a practicing Cardio-Respiratory Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at MNH and an Honorary Lecturer at MUHAS. His clinical experience provides him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in healthcare, which will be invaluable in his work with NatHREC.
His commitment to advancing healthcare and research is evident in his extensive involvement in various professional organizations and committees. He previously served as a board member and chairman of the Examination and Registration Committee of the Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCT) from 2019 to 2023. He was also a member of NatHREC itself and the Clinical Trial Sub-Committee from 2019 to 2024, giving him firsthand experience with the committee’s operations and challenges. His service on the National Medical Devices Standards Technical Committee and the Biochemical Committee of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) from 2017 to 2023 further demonstrates his broad engagement in health-related matters.
Dr. Osati’s leadership extends to various other crucial roles. He chairs the Training Advisory Committee of the SCALE-IT project, which focuses on scaling up capacity to support clinical trials in the East African Community. He has served as a board member of the Coalition of African National Medical Associations (CANMA) and is a member of the training committee of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa (AMCOA). He has also been part of the East African Community (EAC) inspection team for medical, dental, and allied professionals’ schools in EAC member states.
Furthermore, Dr. Osati is the Deputy General Secretary of the Tanzania Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (TANCDA) and Chairman of the Tanzania Sickle Cell Disease Alliance (TSDA).
He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Physicians of Tanzania (APHYTA). His past service as President-elect and President of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT) from 2016 to 2020 underscores his dedication to the medical profession and his leadership capabilities.
His contributions extend beyond the medical field. Since 2020, he has been a member of the emergency preparedness team for COVID-19, Ebola, and Marburg outbreaks under the Ministry of Health. He also chairs the Board of Mikwambe Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, demonstrating his commitment to education and community development. Additionally, he has served on the board of Buguruni Anglican Health Center and is currently a member of the Safety and Data Monitoring of a Malaria Vaccine trial at the Ifakara Health Institute.
