The fight against childhood tuberculosis has taken center stage as the 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the OPTIC-TB project officially commenced at the Madinat Al Bahri Hotel, Zanzibar. Spanning across the 29th and 30th of April 2026, this gathering serves as a pivotal moment for regional health leaders and researchers to synchronize their efforts. The convening was honored by the presence of prominent health officials, notably: Dr. Riziki Kisonga (NTLP Manager -Tanzania), Dr. Pamela Kisoka (TB Coordinator- TAMISEMI), Dr. Henry Luzze (NTLP Manager – Uganda), and Dr. Turyahabwe Stavia from the Ministry of Health Uganda, all of whom are instrumental in shaping TB policy across East Africa.

Hosted by the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in close collaboration with Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT), the OPTIC-TB project is a testament to the power of academic and clinical synergy. The initiative is dedicated to optimizing the implementation and scale-up of WHO Treatment Decision Algorithms (TDAs) specifically designed for children under the age of 10. By focusing on pulmonary TB in this vulnerable age group, the project seeks to:

Enhance Case Detection: Identifying infections that often go undiagnosed in pediatric patients.

Reduce Treatment Delays: Streamlining the path from diagnosis to care to save lives.

Improve Health Outcomes: Strengthening the recovery rates across Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

From its inception in June 2024, the OPTIC-TB project has evolved into a powerhouse of international cooperation. This collaborative effort brings together leading institutions, including NIMR and KIUT from Tanzania, Kampala International University and the Makerere University Lung Institute from Uganda, the University of Bergen in Norway, and the Catholic University of Bukavu in the DR Congo, alongside other key global partners.

The Zanzibar AGM provided a vital platform for consortium members to review significant achievements and share technical insights gained from the field. Beyond looking at past successes, the sessions focused on sustainability, exploring future funding opportunities and strategic expansions to ensure that the progress made in TB care continues to grow.

KIUT remains steadfast in its mission to contribute to high-impact medical research. Through the OPTIC-TB project, we are actively engineering a future where no child in Sub-Saharan Africa is left behind in the fight against Tuberculosis.