EDCTP gives a warm welcome to Dr Andrew Kitua, who took up the position of DCCC chair in April 2008 in the place of Dr Simon Agwale who has completed his term as the Chairperson.

Dr Kitua graduated in medicine at the Universita Statale di Milano, Italy and attained a Masters degree in epidemiology at the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. After he attained a PhD in clinical epidemiology at Basel University in Switzerland, he became the first Tanzanian and African Director of the Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre in Tanzania. Currently, Dr Kitua is the Director General of the National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania. He has extensive work experience in public health and has published widely, especially in the area of malaria epidemiology, vaccine, clinical trials and health systems research. He was member of Foundation Board of the Global Forum for Health Research (2000-2005), and currently member WHO/TDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) among others.
 
On accepting the position of DCCC chair, Dr Kitua said:
“The DCCC is the African strategic engine of the EDCTP partnership. I feel greatly honoured for being elected as a Chairperson of this very important Committee. It is a challenging responsibility and one for which I am ready to spend my time and energy, because any step forward makes the South and in particular Africa a stronger participant and a leader in solving its health problems. I have great confidence in the ability of the DCCC team to meet the challenges ahead and in achieving the EDCTP vision. I am proud to be on the driving seat of this singular train taking African populations to a healthier future.”