Our background

It is no secret that there are many challenges facing the health care sector in low income countries. There needs to be a concerted effort in strengthening the health systems, rehabilitation, human resource development, the referral system, increased health sector financing and improvement in the provision of medicines, equipment and supplies (PHSDP, 2007).

GENTAN was born from the reality that primary care professionals are faced with challenges in dealing with patients who have been affected by a genetic disorder, or whose family history is of concern. A practice long established in the high income countries, GENTAN's mission is to support the use of genetics as a primary health care tool in less developed countries, in particular, Tanzania. 

Established in 2006, and although currently in a state of adhocracy, GENTAN is primarily based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was set up by Ivan E. Teri, BSc/MGen (Hons), a Tanzanian, whilst living in the UK. His studies and experiences within the NHS reinforced his beliefs in the importance of genetic research and application (e.g. screening, counselling, working together with medicine) in primary health care provision. However, he also promotes the use of quantitative-qualitative research coupling in fighting the escalating health problems in lower income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives (Agenda):

We hope to, in the long run, play a role in the policy environment and education, helping yield the required outcomes of functional and efficient primary health care. Our approach is systematic and is illustrated here in implementation order:

1. Identify, collect and store information on biomedicine into an easily accessible, user-friendly format for health professionals and for public benefit

2. Contribute to the dissemination of information and to the integration of biomedicine into mainstream medical practice. To act as a resource centre promoting research and information sharing.

3. To help build an interactive environment where professionals and the public are able to receive, accept and utilize genetic information for the benefit of health care. To form meaningful collaborations, alliances and partnerships developing into a dynamic network that allows for exchange of ideas, expertise and materials with the aim of developing the genetic field in Tanzania.

4. To promote and influence the development of systems and policies focused on applying genetics to everyday health care. To provide timely and useful technical assistance to individuals, organizations , government or other groups where possible and in developing comprehensive public health genetics programs.

5. To educate and train health care workers (and the public) and support the responsible and effective application of genetics for the betterment of public health.

Organizational Structure & Network

Our aim is to marry interdisciplinary approaches to health and work towards a sustainable and influential organization that serves as the cornerstone for genetic resources and public health genomics. A constant theme and priority within our work is to actively seek input from experts, organizations, institutions, companies and the public and this will involve a variety of consultation exercises and open meetings. We hope to introduce a systematic approach to exchanging information with which we can positively influence the health sector.

We also hope to establish advisory panels which involve both members and external participants (experts). These approaches could be used for carrying out specific projects, for overseeing areas of work, or to act as a standing technical resource.

 We are continually searching for supporters, associates,, donors or funders to aid in developing what can only be the future of a fundamental tool of health care. The organization is still somewhat in a state of adhocracy because we believe that the aim and mission of GENTAN will be best achieved through collaboration and assistance from health and research institutions as well as expertise from  various relevant fields.

Funding

As mentioned,  the organization is looking to secure funds to carry out work that meets our primary purpose. Using available knowledge (CDC, PHG Foundation, academic and research institutions etc) to ground our own, GENTAN will endeavour to produce quality, efficient and effective results.  Donors can invest in our organization with the belief that our work is needed now in the low income countries in order to form a strong base for collaboration between biomedicine and public health in the future.  The rate of discovery in biomedical research continues to gather pace, however in Africa, this is currently of little concern due to the high Burden of Disease (BOD) among other factors. Also, with national health budgets heavily dependent on donor funds, there has been little focus on creating frameworks for information dissemination and multi-sectoral collaborative work at all levels. At GENTAN, we are seeking to ensure that calculated and timely integration occurs NOW in order to facilitate the development of quality health care in developing countries. Please contact us if you would like to get involved.

How you can help?

We hope to build a team that can earn a national and international reputation as leaders in the field of public health genomics in Tanzania. Gentan would like to build connections in the health, research and policy communities worldwide and in turn produce work of the highest quality.

We are looking for eminent professionals from any relevant field of work to give their time and energy to support our work. Gentan is also constantly searching for affiliation opportunities with institutions, organizations and companies in order to increase the effectiveness of our work for the mutual benefit of both partners. Please contact us if you would like to become a member, sponsor, donor or partner.