Historical
The Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC), established in 1975 initially as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Centre for Africa and later transformed to a National Centre in 1981, has gone through change over the last 25 years. Though originally, the Centre was established to conduct research in tropical diseases, the thrust of the centre has diversified to include research in diseases and conditions of public health importance. Like many other Research Centres in Africa, it has struggled with the process of transformation and changes within its environment. In recent years, the Centre has had to face the challenges of policy change as a result of health sector reform in the country. The Centre has embraced these changes positively and seeks to adapt itself so that it is relevant to the health needs of the day, not only in Zambia but also in Africa as a whole. It wishes to re-focus its activities so that it can contribute to evidence based disease prevention and control. The current global movements and initiatives in HIV/AIDS and malaria research and training provide a unique opportunity to strengthen research capacity at the TDRC.
The atmosphere in which TDRC is currently operating is characterized by a development phase of limited resources with an emphasis on self-sustainability. Further, it is subject to external forces such as increased social cost, especially in the health sector due to emerging and re-emerging diseases. Notable amongst these are malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. This scenario has meant that increasingly, the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has been unable to invest adequately in the Centre.
The Centre operates under the legal framework provided by the TDRC Act of parliament of 1982. There is a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister of Health which is the policy making body for the institution. The management team, which is responsible for the day to day running of the Centre, is headed by the Director who is assisted by a Deputy Director and Board Secretary. There are 3 Scientific Departments and an Administrative Support Unit consisting of Accounts, Transport, Stores, Security and Personnel.
In the period 1975 to 1981, the research activities of the Centre were tailored to the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP)/World Bank/WHO Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). The major thrust of research was in the epidemiology of 3 TDR diseases namely; Malaria, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) and Schistosomiasis. Since the Centre became a national institution, the research agenda has expanded to include HIV/AIDS, other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Tuberculosis and micronutrient deficiency disorders. Types of studies carried out range from clinical trials of new antimalarial drugs, epidemiology, and social science to intervention research. Major achievements over the years have been in the area of antimalarial drug development in terms of conducting Phase II and III trials.
The TDRC is committed to significantly contribute to science and research aimed at improving the health status of the people of Zambia and the Region and where appropriate, the international community. The burden of disease and the health profile of African countries form the basis of research activities at the Centre. In order to effectively adapt to the changing environment, TDRC management has developed a strategic plan for the institution. Currently all the research activities are conducted in line with the strategic plan for the different research areas.