By Takawira Photoveteran Dapi
Dr Talkmore Maruta, a renowned global public health scientist, philanthropist, and internationally recognized cancer activist and survivor, was recently honored and recognised by the people of the Republic of Tanzania for his outstanding global and regional work in the field of Biosafety and Biosecurity.
Dr. Maruta is from Maruta Village’ s Primary School where he passed with distinctions from grade-1-7, forms 1-4 at Mt St Mary’s Mission and form 5-6 at Kutama Mission school.
Dr Talkmore Maruta number 2 from right in black trousers and white medical dust kot
Biosafety is about ensuring that people who work with dangerous pathogens in laboratories, the communities, and the environment are protected, while biosecurity ensures the dangerous pathogens are protected from people who want to use them for bad purposes, for example, creating biological weapons and terrorist organizations.
He is a classic example of what Benjamin Franklin said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Dr Maruta’s historic academic distinctions achievement background has skyrocketed him into soaring heights professionally while serving as a Senior Biosafety and Biosecurity Officer for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDCP), which is a Public Health arm of the African Union.
Dr. Maruta also led the implementation of their Biosafety and Biosecurity Initiative in Africa that seeks to strengthen the capacities of African Union Member States to comply with international requirements, such as the International Health Regulations (IHR), United Nations Security Council Resolution 1450, Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and the multi-country Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).
He successfully led the development of a model law for biosafety and biosecurity that was approved by the African Union, including the Specialized Technical Committee (STCC) on Health, Population and Drug Control, STCC Justice and Legal Affairs, and recognition by the Heads of States during their 2022 Lusaka Summit.
This model law is now in the process of being implemented in Burkina Faso, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and Zambia, among others.
From Left Dr Talkmore Maruta receiving award from tge former Minister of Health Tanzania- Hon Ummy Mwalimu
Other notable achievements include his intuitive leadership in developing the Training and Certification Program in Biosafety and Biosecurity endorsed by African States to professionalize the field of Biosafety and Biosecurity and create a pool of African experts who can be deployed in times of outbreaks and pandemics.
Throughout his career, he has been recognized in several regional and global fora, including the ‘Distinguished Leadership” Award at the African Society for Laboratory Medicine Conference, the “Best Employee” award in the World Bank-supported Southern Africa TB Health Systems Strengthening project.
Dr. Maruta’s scientific leadership and desire to create local African leaders of tomorrow were seen when he led the establishment of Regional Centers of Excellence for Biosafety and Biosecurity for Southern Africa, hosted by the Institute of Communicable Disease South Africa, West Africa hosted by the Institute Pasteur Dakar Senegal, and for East Africa hosted by the National Public Health Laboratory of Tanzania.
During the handover, Dr. Maruta extended his heartfelt gratitude to the people of Tanzania and beyond, selflessly acknowledging the gesture, “I am truly humbled by the gesture from the people of Tanzania for recognizing my small contribution to strengthening Biosafety and Biosecurity in Africa,” he said.
In the true spirit of being “the son of Africa,” during the handover, Dr. Nyambura Moremi, Director of the National Public Health Laboratory, Tanzania’s words reflected how Dr. Maruta is viewed and respected throughout the African continent and beyond:
“The humbleness in Dr. Maruta is convincing him that his contribution is “small”, but the reality in some of us is that, you cannot separate him from the significant milestones that we have achieved as a continent in areas of Biosafety and Biosecurity, Laboratory Quality Management System, and Laboratory Leadership because of him”.
Dr. Maruta is also a bravest and historically cancer infection conqueror patient who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the colon in 2022. While celebrating two years free of cancer recently, Dr Maruta had words of advice and encouragement for those affected by cancer, saying, “Being diagnosed with cancer is not always equal to death. I am a living example having conquered cancer and declared cancer-free for 2 years now,” said Dr. Maruta, who now runs social media campaigns, educates the general public that cancer is curable.
“With early detection, you have 90% chances of having it eradicated. But for this to happen, there are three important things that need to happen, first, be regularly checked for cancer. Secondly, once you are diagnosed with cancer, you need to act quickly and swiftly by following the advice of professionals who have been to school to study cancer and have years of experience treating cancer patients. Thirdly, be strong and fight back the disease because cancer treatment is painful, but it can be conquered, I conquered it, and today, I am still with my family and you.
Dr Maruta’s heartwarming life came from his childhood.
His mother, Mrs Maruta, aka Mai Tokumo, said to this publication.
“Talkmore was a disciplined and kind child who was always willing to share with his siblings and kindergarten mates as he would often break his pencils to share with classmates who didn’t have one. That was his problem with us after school.
“His philanthropic heart is not news to us because that is him from childhood, his selfless nature and generosity,” she said.
Dr. Maruta’s father, Sekuru Tadeu Maruta, is known for his peaceful nature, earning him the nickname “Sekuru Ever Quiet, Mwana wa Zenze.”
The Maruta family is described as harmonious, with no history of quarrels within the village or ward.
Dr Maruta has been married to one woman, wife, Mrs. Chisina Maruta for 25 years.
They have three biological children and many adopted ones.
Their first-born daughter has completed a Master’s in Business Administration at 24, following in her father’s footsteps.
Mrs Chisina Maruta has impressive educational credentials, diplomas in general nursing and midwifery, Master’s degrees in public health and Midwifery Education, Bachelor of arts in Community Health Nursing and Honours Degree in the same.
All these conclude that the Maruta family values education and kindness, suggesting a strong family legacy.
This humanizes Dr. Maruta’s achievements highlight the importance of family, community, and values in shaping his success. It runs in the family.
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