The Tuberculosis Research Advisory Council (TRAC) marked its Silver Jubilee in a grand event held from March 27–29, 2026 at Ethiopian Public Health Research Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa. This milestone celebration combined the 25th anniversary of TRAC, the 20th Annual TB Research Conference, and the observance of World TB Day (WTD) 2026, drawing the presence of high-level government officials along with local and international partners.
Prof. Afework Kassu, Chairperson of the Council and Director General of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), began his welcome address with a solemn request. Before beginning his welcoming address, he asked participants to stand for a moment of silence dedicated to the 1.23 million people who lost their lives in 2024 to tuberculosis, a disease that remains both preventable and curable.
Prof. Afework further called for deep appreciation and recognition of the “frontline heroes”. He honored the nurses, doctors, researchers, program managers, and community health workers who tirelessly battle TB, often risking their own safety to provide care and hope.
In his address, Prof. Afework highlighted the Council’s evolution, noting that the quarter-century journey has been defined by collaboration between academia, research institutions, policymakers, and partners.
- TRAC has successfully promoted a culture of evidence-based decision-making over the past five years.
- The Council has been instrumental in capacity building, the development of strategic TB roadmaps, and the inspiration of national and regional initiatives.
- These efforts have shaped Ethiopia’s response to the public health challenge, contributing to the global ambition of ending tuberculosis by 2030.
The milestone event was officially opened by Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, who reaffirmed Ethiopia’s dedication to the cause. He emphasized that ending TB is both a public health priority and a national responsibility. The Ministry is focused on strengthening domestic financing and expanding access to quality services to ensure no Ethiopian is left behind. Dr. Dereje also pointed to the necessity of leveraging innovation and digital solutions to accelerate progress.
Adding a regional perspective, Prof. Netsanet Workneh, Head of the Oromia Regional Health Bureau, stressed that TB services must reach every community to detect cases earlier and save more lives. Dr. Francis Kasolo, WHO Representative to Ethiopia, commended the government’s commitment and identified five priority areas for the future: greater investment, accelerated innovation, multisectoral action, patient-centered care, and resilient health systems.
He also noted that Ethiopia has demonstrated strong government commitment in the fight against tuberculosis. Dr. Francis stressed that sustained collaboration among partners, academia, and research institutions is essential to mobilize resources, advance innovation, and translate research into policy and programme impact.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of the prectigious TRAC Awards, a momentous occasion that recognized a total of 23 recipients, including dedicated individuals, health facilities, institutions, and regional health bureaus.
Ceremony Highlights
• Top Performing Facilities: Wolkite Health Center and Garamuleta Hospital were honored for their outstanding frontline service delivery and unwavering commitment to patient care.
• Strategic Governmental Support: The Ministry of Finance honored with TRAC Award for Outstanding Contribution to End TB in Ethiopia for its essential contributions and strategic support toward the national goal of ending TB in Ethiopia.
• Leadership & Excellence: Dr. Dereje Duguma, State Minister of Health, Ministry of Health, Ethiopia: Honored with the TRAC Award of Excellence in TB Leadership. He was recognized for his strategic foresight in navigating global health crises and funding challenges, mobilizing unprecedented resources to build a robust, self-sustaining health system.
• Prof. Afework Kassu: Honored with the Special Award of Excellence in TB Leadership for his visionary role in shaping national research priorities and fostering a culture of evidence-based policy that has been instrumental to TRAC’s mission. Currently serving as Chairperson of TRAC and Director General of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), his leadership is defined by a rare combination of academic rigor and strategic governance.
• Dr. Hiwot Solomon, LEO, Disease Prevention and Control, FMoH, was celebrated as an Emerging Leader in the TB program.
• The Voice of Resilience: In one of the most poignant moments of the Silver Jubilee, the Voice of Resilience Award was presented to Fasil Tsegaye.
• Research & Clinical Care: Dr. Ayinalem Alemu, Dr. Zewdu Gashu, and Dr. Kidist Bobosha were recognized for their significant TB research contributions. Dr. Amsalu Bekele was honored for his dual impact in both research and clinical care, while Dr. Dereje Gulilat and Mr. Mohammed Husen received awards for excellence in TB clinical care for their unwavering commitment to serving those in need.
• Lifetime Dedication: The Council paid tribute to decades of unwavering service by presenting TRAC Lifetime Dedication Awards to Dr. Fikadesilassie Mikru and Desalegn Olana.
• Community Impact: REACH Ethiopia and Love in Action Ethiopia (LIAE) were celebrated for their essential roles in community-based TB interventions.
The momentum of the celebration transitioned into the two-day scientific conference, which hosted over 300 participants and featured 11 high-level plenary sessions.
These deliberations provided a deep dive into the technical and strategic innovations defining the modern fight against tuberculosis. Experts engaged in thorough discussions regarding the transformative impact of digital health solutions, specifically highlighting the LabXpert system and AI-based computer-aided detection (CAD). Beyond technological advancements, the conference addressed the evolving economic landscape of public health. Sessions covered the shifting TB funding environment and the critical, and much-needed transition toward domestic financing models. This strategic focus was complemented by reviews of targeted investments in high-burden hotspot areas, including Sidama, Borena, and Guji. To ensure a global perspective, the council also deliberated on TB vaccine introduction and its impact. A representative from Zimbabwe has also shared program experiences from their National TB Program, fostering an international exchange of knowledge and best practices.
AHRI is one of the main founders of TRAC, and has been hosting the secretariat office since its establishment.
