THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT

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CHAPTER 59
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
part i
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. part ii
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
3. Establishment of Institute. 4. Functions of Institute. 5. Vesting of Centres and provisions relating to land. 6. Composition and proceedings of Council. 7. Minister may give directions to Council. part iii
POWERS AND OPERATIONS OF THE INSTITUTE
8. Staff and management of Centres. 9. Research committees and provisions relating to research. 10. Information on medical research to be furnished to Institute. 11. Information on diseases by hospitals, health centres. 12. Institute may call for information on medical research. 13. Provisions relating to discoveries. 14. Coordination of research carried out outside Tanzania. 15. Power of Minister to make regulations. part iv
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
16. Appointment of Director General. 17. Remuneration of members of Council. 18. Superannuation benefits. 19.

ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
16. Appointment of Director General. 17. Remuneration of members of Council. 18. Superannuation benefits. 19.

Power of Council to delegate.

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58
20. Funds of Institute.
21. Power of Council to charge fees.
22. Investment.
23. Power to borrow.
24. Annual and supplementary budget.
25. Accounts and audit.
26. Annual report.
27. Laying of accounts before National Assembly.
part v
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
28. Protection from personal liability.
29. Notification of orders.
SCHEDULES

ng of accounts before National Assembly.
part v
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
28. Protection from personal liability.
29. Notification of orders.
SCHEDULES

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PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the National Institute for Medical
Research Act.
2. In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise-
“Centre” means a Medical Research Centre established
under section 5;
“Council” means the Council for the Institute established
under section 6;
“Director-General” means the Director-General of Institute
appointed under section 16;
“Institute” means the National Institute of Medical Research
established under section 3;
“member” in relation to the Council means a member of
the Council and includes the Chairman and the Vice-
Chairman;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for health.
Short title
Interpretation
CHAPTER 59
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT
An Act to establish the National Institute for Medical Research and to
provide for the functions and powers of the Institute in relation to the
promotion of medical research.
[1st October, 1979]
[GN. No. 148 of 1980]
Act No.
23 of 1979
GN. Nos.
309 of 1991
310 of 2009
428 of 2010

lation to the
promotion of medical research.
[1st October, 1979]
[GN. No. 148 of 1980]
Act No.
23 of 1979
GN. Nos.
309 of 1991
310 of 2009
428 of 2010

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60
PART II
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
MEDICAL RESEARCH
3.–(1) There is hereby established an institute to be known as
the National Institute for Medical Research. (2) The Institute shall be a body corporate and shall-
(a) have perpetual succession and an official seal;
(b) in its corporate name, be capable of suing and being
sued;
(c) subject to this Act, be capable of holding, purchasing or
acquiring in any other way, any movable or immovable
property, and of disposing of any of its property.

this Act, be capable of holding, purchasing or
acquiring in any other way, any movable or immovable
property, and of disposing of any of its property.

4.–(1) The functions of the Institute shall be-
(a) to carry out, and promote the carrying out of, medical
research designed to alleviate disease among the people
of Tanzania;
(b) to carry out, and promote the carrying out of research
into various aspects of local traditional medical
practices for the purpose of facilitating the development
and application of herbal medicine;
(c) in co-operation with the Government or any person or
body of persons, to promote, or provide facilities for the
training of local personnel for carrying out scientific
research into medical problems;
(d) to monitor, control and co-ordinate medical research
carried out within Tanzania, or elsewhere on behalf of
or for the benefit of the Government of Tanzania, and
to evaluate the findings of that research;
(e) to establish a system for the registration of, and to
register, the findings of medical research carried out
within Tanzania, and promote the practical application
of those findings for the purposes of improving or
advancing the health and general welfare of the people
of Tanzania;
Establishment of
Institute
Functions of
Institute

for the purposes of improving or
advancing the health and general welfare of the people
of Tanzania;
Establishment of
Institute
Functions of
Institute

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
(f) to establish and operate system of documentation and
dissemination of information on any aspect of the
medical research carried out by or on behalf of the
Institute;
(g) to control and manage the affairs of Centres vested in
the Institute by section 5(1);
(h) to assume responsibility for the control and management
of any other Centres which may be established by the
Institute or vested in the Institute under section 5(2) or
any other written law; and
(i) to do anything which may be necessary to uphold and
support the credit of the Institute and of its research
findings, to obtain and justify public confidence to avert
or minimise any loss to the Institute and to facilitate
the proper and efficient performance of its functions.

and justify public confidence to avert
or minimise any loss to the Institute and to facilitate
the proper and efficient performance of its functions.

(2) In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of
subsection (1), the Institute may-
(a) undertake, either alone or in association with any
person or body of persons within or outside Tanzania,
the establishment, equipment and management, on a
zonal or other basis, of Centres within Tanzania for the
performance of any of its functions;
(b) carry out and promote the carrying out of research
and investigation into the causes and the ways of
controlling and preventing the occurrence in Tanzania,
of particular diseases or a category of them, including-
(i) bacterial, viral, rickettsial, helminthic or protozoal,
infective and parasitic diseases; and
(ii) non-infective diseases of the mental, nutritional,
neoplastic, haematological, degenerative or other
categories;
(c) in co-operation with the Government or any person or
body of persons, carry out and promote the carrying out
of basic, applied and operational research designated to
provided effective measures for the control of diseases
endemic in Tanzania; and

carrying out
of basic, applied and operational research designated to
provided effective measures for the control of diseases
endemic in Tanzania; and

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62
(d) in co-operation with the Government or any person or
body of persons within or outside Tanzania, establish
in Tanzania a library for reference by medical scientists
and a medical museum. (3) For the purposes of the better performance of its
functions the Institute shall establish and maintain a system
of collaboration, consultation and co-operation with the
Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology established
by the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology Act,
and with any other person or body of persons established by
or under any written law and having functions related to those
specified in subsection (1) or (2) or which relate to medical or
scientific research or to scientific developments generally. 5.–(1) The control and management of Centres specified in the
First Schedule to this Act is hereby vested in the Institute.

ic developments generally. 5.–(1) The control and management of Centres specified in the
First Schedule to this Act is hereby vested in the Institute.

(2) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette,
amend, add to, vary or replace the names of and the Centres
specified in the First Schedule to this Act. (3) The Minister may, after consultation with the Council,
by order in the Gazette, declare any hospital, health centre,
dispensary or other medical establishment or part of it, where
medical research is conducted, or in which it is intended to
conduct medical research, sponsored by or on behalf of the
Government, to be a Centre for the purposes of this Act, and
vest in the Institute the control and management of that Centre. (4) The Institute shall be granted a right of occupancy over
the land over which a Centre exists, or is established, upon such
terms and conditions as the President may approve, subject to
subsections (5) and (6). (5) Until a right of occupancy is granted it shall be lawful
for the Institute to exercise in relation to the land over which
a Centre exists, or is established, all the rights necessary for
the performance of its functions which the owner of a right
of occupancy may lawfully exercise over land comprised in a
right of occupancy granted to him, and the fact that no right of
Cap.

the owner of a right
of occupancy may lawfully exercise over land comprised in a
right of occupancy granted to him, and the fact that no right of
Cap.

226
Vesting of Centres
and provisions
relating to land

226
Vesting of Centres
and provisions
relating to land

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
occupancy has been granted to the Institute shall not affect the
validity of anything done or omitted bona fide by any person
in the execution or purported execution of his duties under
this Act. (6) Fee or duty shall not be charged or payable in respect of
the issue to the Institute of a certificate in respect of a right of
occupancy granted in accordance with this section. 6.–(1) There shall be a Council of the Institute which shall,
subject to this Act, be responsible for the performance of the
functions and the management of the affairs of the Institute. (2) The provisions of the Second Schedule to this Act shall
have effect in respect of the constitution of the Council, its
proceedings and other matters relating to it. (3) Save in the case of matters relating to the office and
appointment of the Chairman of the Council, the Minister
may, by order published in the Gazette, amend, add to, vary
or replace any of the provisions of the Second Schedule to this
Act. 7.

ncil, the Minister
may, by order published in the Gazette, amend, add to, vary
or replace any of the provisions of the Second Schedule to this
Act. 7.

The Minister may give to the Council directions of a general
or specific character regarding the performance by the Institute
of any of its functions under this Act, and the Council shall
give effect to every direction given. PART III
POWERS AND OPERATIONS OF THE INSTITUTE
8.–(1) The Council shall, upon the advice of, and
recommendation made by, the Director General appoint
suitable persons each to be the Director of the Centre specified
in the instrument of his appointment. (2) A person appointed to be a Director shall, in respect of
the Centre for which he is appointed, be the chief administrative
officer of that Centre and shall, for that purpose, be answerable
to the Council through the Director General. Composition and
proceedings of
Council
Minister may
give directions to
Council
Staff and
management of
Centres

e Council through the Director General. Composition and
proceedings of
Council
Minister may
give directions to
Council
Staff and
management of
Centres

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64
(3) Subject to the general or specific directions given
by the Council in that behalf, the Director may appoint
such number of non-professional supporting staff as in his
opinion are necessary for the proper performance of the
functions of the Institute by the Centre for which he is the
Director. 9.–(1) The Council shall appoint such number of committees
and subcommittees as it may deem necessary for the control
and co-ordination of medical research carried out by or on
behalf of the Institute. (2) The Council may, subject to such conditions, as it may
specify, delegate to the committees and subcommittees or to
any of them all or any of its functions under this Act, subject
to the provisions of section 19.

y, delegate to the committees and subcommittees or to
any of them all or any of its functions under this Act, subject
to the provisions of section 19.

(3) The provisions of the Second Schedule to this Act,
other than the provisions which relate to the composition
of the Council, shall apply, mutatis mutandis in relation to
the committees and subcommittees appointed under this
section, but the Council may, by directions in writing, in
relation to any such committees or subcommittees, disapply
all or any of the provisions of the Second Schedule to this
Act or modify them in such manner as may be specified in
the directions. (4) The Minister may, after consultation with the Council,
make rules regarding-
(a) the procedure for the submission to the Institute
of proposals for the carrying out of research into a
particular aspect of human diseases;
(b) the manner in which proposals for the carrying out of
research shall be dealt with by the Institute;
(c) the rights and obligations of persons carrying out
medical research;
(d) the procedure to be adopted with regard to medical
research being carried out outside Tanzania by or
Research
committees
and provisions
relating to
research

ocedure to be adopted with regard to medical
research being carried out outside Tanzania by or
Research
committees
and provisions
relating to
research

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
on behalf of the Institute, or for the benefit of the
Government of Tanzania; and
(e) the control of, and other dealings with animals, birds
and other animate and inanimate objects used in
carrying out research. 10.–(1) A person engaged or intending to engage, in medical
research within the United Republic shall, at his own expense
furnish to the Institute information relating to that research
and make available to the Institute copies of any relevant
records or findings in such form and within such periods as
may be prescribed. (2) A person who contravenes or fails to comply with
subsection (1) commits an offence and on conviction shall be
liable to a fine not exceeding ten thousand shillings, but no
person shall be prosecuted for any offence under this section
within six months after the commencement of this Act.

ing ten thousand shillings, but no
person shall be prosecuted for any offence under this section
within six months after the commencement of this Act.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Institute may
enter into agreements with firms or organisations engaged in
medical, nutritional or other allied scientific research, within
or outside Tanzania, for the purposes of establishing a system
of exchanging information relating to medical, nutritional or
other allied scientific research. 11. For the purposes of the proper performance of its functions
under this Act, the Institute may require in writing any hospital,
health centre, dispensary or other medical establishment or a
category of them to furnish to it such information relating to
such disease or diseases as the Institute may specify. 12.–(1) The Institute may require in writing any person or
body of persons engaged in medical or other allied scientific
research within Tanzania to furnish to it such information
relating to medical or other allied scientific research as the
Institute may specify. Information on
medical research
to be furnished to
Institute
Information
on diseases by
hospitals, health
centres
Institute may call
for information
on medical
research

ical research
to be furnished to
Institute
Information
on diseases by
hospitals, health
centres
Institute may call
for information
on medical
research

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66
(2) A person or body of persons required to furnish
information under subsection (1) shall comply with the
requirement and any person or body of persons which refuses
or fails to comply with that requirement commits an offence
and on conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifteen
thousand shillings. 13.–(1) Where as a result of any research carried out by or on
behalf of the Institute anything is discovered, the discovery
shall become the property of the Institute. (2) For the purposes of the commercial exploitation of
any discovery which the Institute considers important for the
alleviation, prevention or cure of diseases or for the betterment
or improvement of the health of persons, the Institute may
arrange with any person or body of persons to buy, sell, take or
grant patent rights in the discovery, subject to terms approved
by the Council.

e may
arrange with any person or body of persons to buy, sell, take or
grant patent rights in the discovery, subject to terms approved
by the Council.

(3) Every discovery made as a result of medical or other
allied scientific research carried out under this Act shall
be registered by the Institute in such form and upon such
conditions as the Minister may, by regulations made under
this Act, prescribe. (4) The Institute may, with the prior approval of the Minister,
grant to any person who makes a discovery which the Institute
considers significant or who materially assists or contributes to
the making of that discovery, such reward as may be approved
by the Council. 14.–(1) Whenever any person desires to sponsor any medical
research project to be carried out outside Tanzania, or to make
payments for the purpose of participating in a medical research
project outside Tanzania, he shall first submit his proposals in
that behalf in writing to the Institute. (2) Upon receipt of proposals submitted to it pursuant to
subsection (1), the Institute shall hold consultations with the
person who submitted the proposals, and on completion of
Provisions
relating to
discoveries
Coordination of
research carried
out outside
Tanzania

the
person who submitted the proposals, and on completion of
Provisions
relating to
discoveries
Coordination of
research carried
out outside
Tanzania

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
those consultations the Institute shall make such decision in
relation to the proposals as will, in the opinion of the Institute,
serve the best interests of medical or other allied scientific
research in Tanzania. (3) Every decision made by the Institute under subsection
(2) shall be binding upon every person affected by it, but if any
of those persons is aggrieved by the decision of the Institute he
may appeal to the Minister against it, and the decision of the
Minister on the matter shall be final. (4) For the purposes of giving effect the provisions of this
section the Institute may, with the approval of the Minister,
issue guidelines specifying the conditions which should be
observed in making proposals and also specifying matters
which the Institute shall take into consideration in making any
decision under this section.

observed in making proposals and also specifying matters
which the Institute shall take into consideration in making any
decision under this section.

(5) The Minister may, by directions in writing under his
hand, exempt any person or body of persons or any category
of persons from the provisions of subsection (1). 15.–(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Council,
make regulations necessary to give effect to the provisions of
this Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred
by subsection (1), the Minister may make regulations-
(a) requiring persons, bodies of persons or a category of
them, specified in the regulations, engaged in medical
or other allied research to furnish to the Institute
information relating to any aspect of their activities;
(b) prescribing the form and manner in which, and the
period within which, any information required to be
furnished or made available to the Institute under this
Act shall be furnished or made available to the Institute;
(c) prescribing the form in which and the procedure by
which proposals shall be made to the Institute for
sponsoring of medical research to be carried outside
Tanzania; and
Power of
Minister to make
regulations

proposals shall be made to the Institute for
sponsoring of medical research to be carried outside
Tanzania; and
Power of
Minister to make
regulations

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68
(d) prescribing or regulating any other thing which is
under this Act required or permitted to be prescribed
or regulated. (3) Regulations made under this section shall be published
in the Gazette. PART IV
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
16.–(1) The President shall appoint on such terms and
conditions as he may specify, a Director General of the Institute
who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute. (2) Subject to such general or specific directions given to
him by the Council, the Director General may issue operational
guidelines to all Directors appointed under section 8, and may
call for and act on reports made by those Directors relating to
the operations of Centres vested in or established by or under
this Act. (3) The Council may appoint such number of other
professional and non-professional employees of the Institute
as it may deem necessary for the proper and efficient conduct
of the business and activities of the Institute.

professional employees of the Institute
as it may deem necessary for the proper and efficient conduct
of the business and activities of the Institute.

17.–(1) Subject to subsection (2), the members shall be entitled
to such remuneration, fees or allowances for expenses as the
Minister may, upon the recommendation of the Council,
prescribe. (2) Remuneration, fees or allowances, except such
allowances for expenses as may be expressly authorised by the
Minister, shall not be paid to any member of the Council who
is a public officer. 18. Subject to the provisions of any written law for the time
being in force relating to pensions, the Council may-
(a) grant gratuities or other retirement allowances or
benefits to the employees of the Institute;
Appointment of
Director General
Remuneration
of members of
Council
Superannuation
benefits

t allowances or
benefits to the employees of the Institute;
Appointment of
Director General
Remuneration
of members of
Council
Superannuation
benefits

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
(b) establish and contribute to a superannuation fund or a
medical benefits fund for the employees of the Institute;
and
(c) require any employee of the Institute to contribute
to the superannuation fund or medical benefits fund
and fix the amounts and method of payment of the
contribution. 19.–(1) Subject to subsection (4), the Council may, by
instrument in writing under the seal of the Institute, delegate
to any committees of its members or to any employee of the
Institute any of its functions or powers under this Act, so that
the delegated functions or powers may be exercised by the
delegate in accordance with the terms of the instrument of
delegation.

der this Act, so that
the delegated functions or powers may be exercised by the
delegate in accordance with the terms of the instrument of
delegation.

(2) A delegation under this section may be made to the
holder of an office under the Institute specifying the office but
without naming the holder, and in that case each successive
holder of the office in question, and each person who occupies
or performs the duties of that office, may, without any
further authority, exercise the delegated function or power in
accordance with the delegation made. (3) The Council may at any time revoke a delegation made
under this section, and the delegation so made shall not
prevent the Council from itself exercising the function or
power delegated. (4) The Council shall not delegate-
(a) its power of delegation; or
(b) the power to approve the annual budget, the annual
balance sheet or any statement of accounts. 20. The funds and resources of the Institute shall consist of-
(a) such sums as may be provided by Parliament for the
purposes of the Institute;
(b) such sums or property which may vest in the Institute
under this Act or any other written law or which
Power of Council
to delegate
Funds of Institute

such sums or property which may vest in the Institute
under this Act or any other written law or which
Power of Council
to delegate
Funds of Institute

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70
may vest in the Institute in any other manner in the
performance of its functions;
(c) such donations, grants, bequests and loans as the
Council may, receive from any person or body of
persons; and
(d) any sums which the Institute may receive as fees for any
services rendered by it. 21. For the proper performance of the functions of the Institute
the Council shall, subject to any directions which the Minister
may give in that behalf have power to charge fees for any
services rendered by the Institute. 22. With the prior approval of the Minister, the Council may,
invest any part of the moneys available in any fund of the
Institute in such investments as are authorised investments in
relation to investment of funds by a trustee under the Trustee
Investment Act.

d of the
Institute in such investments as are authorised investments in
relation to investment of funds by a trustee under the Trustee
Investment Act.

23.–(1) The Council may, with the prior approval of the
Minister, borrow moneys for the purposes of the Institute by
way of loan or overdraft, and upon such security and such
terms and conditions relating to the repayment of the principal
and the payment of interest as the Council may deem fit. (2) A person lending money to the Institute shall not be
bound to inquire whether the borrowing of that money by the
Council has been approved by the Minister. 24.–(1) Subject to subsection (2), “financial year” in this Act
means any period not exceeding twelve consecutive months
designated by the Council as the accounting period of the
Institute. (2) The first financial year of the Institute shall commence
on the date when this Act comes into operation and may be of
a period longer or shorter than twelve months. (3) Not less than two months before the beginning of every
financial year, other than the first financial year, the Council
Power of Council
to charge fees
Investment
Cap. 53
Power to borrow
Annual and
supplementary
budget

r, other than the first financial year, the Council
Power of Council
to charge fees
Investment
Cap. 53
Power to borrow
Annual and
supplementary
budget

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
shall, at a meeting, pass a detailed budget, in this Act called the
“annual budget”, of the amounts respectively expected to be-
(a) received; or
(b) disbursed, by the Institute during that financial year,
and whenever circumstances so require, the Council
may pass a supplementary budget in any financial year. (4) The annual budget and every supplementary budget
shall be in such form and include such details as the Minister
may approve. (5) Forthwith upon passing any annual budget or any
supplementary budget the Council shall submit to the Minister
for his approval the annual budget or, as the case may be, the
supplementary budget. (6) The Minister shall, upon receipt of the annual budget
or any supplementary budget, approve or disapprove it or may
approve it subject to any amendments which he considers fit.

receipt of the annual budget
or any supplementary budget, approve or disapprove it or may
approve it subject to any amendments which he considers fit.

(7) Where the Minister approves any annual or supplementary
budget, with or without amendment, the budget, as approved
by him shall be binding on the Council which, subject to
subsection (8), shall confine the disbursements of the Institute
within the items and amounts contained in the applicable
estimates as approved by the Minister. (8) The Council may-
(a) with the written sanction of the Minister, make a
disbursement notwithstanding that disbursement is
not provided for in any budget; and
(b) adjust expenditure limits to take account of circumstances
not reasonably foreseeable at the time the budget was
prepared, subject to submitting a supplementary budget
to the Minister within two months of the alteration of
expenditure limits becoming necessary. 25.–(1) The Council shall cause to be provided and kept proper
books of accounts and records with respect to-
(a) the receipt and expenditure of money by, and other
financial transactions of the Institute; and
Accounts and
audit

ts and records with respect to-
(a) the receipt and expenditure of money by, and other
financial transactions of the Institute; and
Accounts and
audit

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72
(b) the assets and liabilities of the Institute, and shall cause
to be made out for every financial year a balance sheet
showing the details of the income and expenditure of
the Institute and all its assets and liabilities. (2) Within six months of the close of every financial year
the accounts including the balance sheet of the Institute in
respect of that financial year shall be audited by the Controller
and Auditor-General. (3) Every audited balance sheet shall be placed before a
meeting of the Council which, where it adopts it, shall endorse
the balance sheet with a certificate that it has been so adopted. (4) As soon as the accounts of the Institute have been audited,
and in any case not later than six months after the close of the
financial year, the Council shall submit to the Minister a copy
of the audited statement of accounts, together with a copy of
the report made by the auditors on the statement of accounts. 26.

to the Minister a copy
of the audited statement of accounts, together with a copy of
the report made by the auditors on the statement of accounts. 26.

The Council shall, within six months after the close of the
financial year, cause to be prepared and submitted to the Minister
a report dealing generally with the activities and operations of
the Institute during that year and accompanied by-
(a) a copy of the audited accounts of the Institute;
(b) a copy of the auditor’s report on the accounts; and
(c) such other information as the Minister may direct. 27. The Minister shall, as soon as practicable after receiving
annual report, lay before the National Assembly the audited
accounts of the Institute, together with the auditor’s report on
the accounts and the annual report of the Institute. Annual report
Laying of
accounts
before National
Assembly

, together with the auditor’s report on
the accounts and the annual report of the Institute. Annual report
Laying of
accounts
before National
Assembly

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.73
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
PART V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
28. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 284A of the
Penal Code and the provisions of the Public Officers (Recovery
of Debts) Act, an act or thing done by any member of the Council
or by any employee of the Institute, shall not, if done or omitted
bona fide in the execution or purported execution of his duties
as a member of the Council or as an employee of the institute,
subject him to any action, liability or demand of any kind. 29. Where any order, direction or requirement made or given by
the Minister or the Council under this Act is not required to be
published in the Gazette, the order, direction or requirement
shall be brought to the notice of persons affected or likely to
be affected by it in any manner determined by the Minister or
Council; but if the order, direction or requirement is published in
the Gazette, all persons shall be deemed to have had notice of it. FIRST SCHEDULE
(Made under section 5(1))
MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRES
1.

s published in
the Gazette, all persons shall be deemed to have had notice of it. FIRST SCHEDULE
(Made under section 5(1))
MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRES
1.

Amani Research Centre–(Formerly known as “East African Institute
of Malaria and Vector-borne Diseases”). 2. Muhimbili Research Centre–(Formerly known as “East African
Tuberculosis Research Centre”). 3. Mwanza Research Centre–(Formerly known as “East African
Institute for Medical Research”). 4. Tabora Research Centre–(Formerly known as “Sleeping Sickness
Service” under the Ministry of Health). 5. Tanga Research Centre–(Formerly known as “Filariasis Research
Centre” under the World Health Organisation, the Medical Research
Council of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Health). 6. Tukuyu Research Centre–(Formerly known as “Tukuyu Medical
Research Station”). Protection from
personal liability
Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Notification of
orders
G.N. No. 309 of 1991
GN. Nos. 309 of 1991
428 of 2010

al
Research Station”). Protection from
personal liability
Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Notification of
orders
G.N. No. 309 of 1991
GN. Nos. 309 of 1991
428 of 2010

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
74
SECOND SCHEDULE
(Made under section 6(2) and 9(3))
CONSTITUTION AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL
1.–(1) The Council shall consist of-
(a) a Chairman, who shall be appointed by the President; and
(b) not less than seven nor more than fifteen other members,
who shall be appointed by the Minister from amongst
persons nominated one each by-
(i) the Ministry of Health of the Government of the United
Republic;
(ii) the Ministry of Health of the Government of Zanzibar;
(iii) the Ministry of Agriculture
(iv) the Ministry of Industries;
(v) the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism;
(vi) the Ministry of Finance and Planning;
(vii) the Speaker of the National Assembly;
(viii) the Tanzania National Scientific Research Council;
(ix) the Medical Association of Tanzania;
(x) the University of Dar es Salaam;
(xi) three other members as the Minister may deem
appropriate. (2) The Director General of the Institute shall be the Secretary of
the Council
2.

aam;
(xi) three other members as the Minister may deem
appropriate. (2) The Director General of the Institute shall be the Secretary of
the Council
2.

The members shall elect one of their number to be the Vice-Chairman
of the Council, and any member elected as Vice-Chairman shall, subject
to his continuing to be a member, hold office for a term of one year from
the date of his election, and shall be eligible for re-election. 3.–(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), a member of the Council shall,
unless his appointment is determined by the appointing authority, or
he otherwise ceases to be a member, hold office for such period as the
appointing authority may specify in his appointment, or if no period is
so specified, shall hold office for a term of three years from the date of
his appointment, and shall be eligible for re-appointment. (2) In the case of a member who is a member by virtue of his holding
some other office, he shall cease to be a member upon his ceasing to
hold that office.

n the case of a member who is a member by virtue of his holding
some other office, he shall cease to be a member upon his ceasing to
hold that office.

(3) A member, other than a member referred to in subparagraph (2),
may at any time resign by giving notice in writing to the President or,
as the case may be, to the Minister, and from the date specified in the
notice or, if no date is so specified, from the date of the receipt of the
notice by the President or the Minister, he shall cease to be a member. GN. No. 310 of 2009
Composition
Vice-Chairman
Tenure of office

receipt of the
notice by the President or the Minister, he shall cease to be a member. GN. No. 310 of 2009
Composition
Vice-Chairman
Tenure of office

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.75
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
4. Where a member of the Council who is a member by virtue of his
holding some other office is unable for any reason to attend any meeting
of the Council, he may nominate in writing another person from his
organisation to attend the meeting in his place. 5. Where any member ceases to be a member for any reason before the
expiration of his term of office, the appointing authority may appoint
another person in his place and the person appointed shall hold office
for the remainder of the term of office of his predecessor. 6.–(1) The Council shall ordinarily meet for the transaction of its
business at the times and at the places determined by it, but shall meet
at least once every three months. (2) The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, may, at any
time upon a written request by a majority of the members in office, call
a special meeting of the Council.

his absence the Vice-Chairman, may, at any
time upon a written request by a majority of the members in office, call
a special meeting of the Council.

(3) The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, shall
preside at every meeting of the Council and in the absence of both the
Chairman and the Vice-chairman the members present shall appoint
one of their number to preside over the meeting. (4) The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, may invite
any person who is not a member to participate in the deliberations
at any meeting of the Council, but any person so invited shall not be
entitled to vote. 7. The quorum at any meeting of the Council shall be half of the
members in office. 8.–(1) Questions proposed at a meeting of the Council shall be decided
by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting, in the
event of an equality of votes the person presiding shall have a second or
casting vote in addition to his original or deliberative vote. (2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (1), a decision may be made by
the Council without a meeting by circulation of the relevant papers
among the members, and the expression in writing of the views of the
majority of the members shall be the decision of the Council.

the relevant papers
among the members, and the expression in writing of the views of the
majority of the members shall be the decision of the Council.

9.–(1) The Council shall cause to be recorded and kept minutes of all
business conducted or transacted at its meetings, and the minutes of
each meeting of the Council shall be read and confirmed, or amended
and confirmed, at the next meeting of the Council and signed by the
person presiding at the meeting. (2) Any minutes purporting to be signed by the person presiding
at a meeting of the Council shall, in the absence of proof of error, be
deemed to be a correct record of the meeting whose minutes they
purport to be. Absent member
to be represented
at meetings
Casual vacancy
Meetings of
Council
Meetings of
Council
Quorum
Decisions of
Council
Minutes of
meetings

be. Absent member
to be represented
at meetings
Casual vacancy
Meetings of
Council
Meetings of
Council
Quorum
Decisions of
Council
Minutes of
meetings

©2025 Government of Tanzania. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed without permission of OAG.THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH ACT [CAP. 59 R.E. 2023]
76
10. The validity of any act or proceeding of the Council shall not be
affected by any vacancy among its members or by any defect in the
appointment of any of them.
11. All orders, directions, notices or other documents made or issued
on behalf of the Council shall be signed by-
(a) the Chairman of the Council; or
(b) the Director General or any other officer or officers of the
Institute authorised in writing in that behalf by the Director
General
12. The seal of the Institute shall not be affixed to any instrument except
in the presence of the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman or the Director
General or some other officer of the Institute and at least one member
of the Council.
13. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Council may regulate
its own proceedings.
Vacancies, not
to invalidate
proceedings
Orders directions,
etc.
Seal of Institute
Council may
regulate its own
proceedings