SA Medical Research Council

SA Medical Research Council The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) was established in 1969 with a mandate to improve

Our vision: Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation

Our mission: To advance the nation’s health and quality of life and address inequity by conducting and funding relevant and responsive health research, capacity development, innovation and research translation

If you look for jobs at the SAMRC click here: https://samrc.breezy.hr/

The President and CEO of the SAMRC, Ntobeko Ntusi, joins Garry Aslanyan on the latest podcast episode of Global Health M...
05/03/2026

The President and CEO of the SAMRC, Ntobeko Ntusi, joins Garry Aslanyan on the latest podcast episode of Global Health Matters.

Produced by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), a co-sponsored initiative by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this conversation, Prof Ntusi offers perspective on how global health can recalibrate power, advance equity, and empower African-led research initiatives.
A must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, and shaping the future of global health.

To listen, click here: https://tinyurl.com/GHM-E62
To watch, click here: https://youtu.be/FJeDWk4A-8I

The SAMRC and TIA invite you to attend the MeDDIC Stakeholder Forum 2026. A strategic engagement bringing together key s...
05/03/2026

The SAMRC and TIA invite you to attend the MeDDIC Stakeholder Forum 2026. A strategic engagement bringing together key stakeholders from across South Africa’s medical device and diagnostics ecosystem.

Registration information - https://www.samrc.ac.za/event/meddic-stakeholder-forum-2026

SAMRC strengthens African drug discovery and supports women-led research leadershipThrough the South African Medical Res...
04/03/2026

SAMRC strengthens African drug discovery and supports women-led research leadership

Through the South African Medical Research Council’s Grand Challenges South Africa programme, supported by baseline funding allocated from the National Department of Health - South Africa, the SAMRC has committed R6 million to support two early-stage drug discovery research platforms under the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA).

The GC ADDA is a pan-African collaborative drug discovery initiative coordinated by the H3D Foundation and supported by partners including Grand Challenges Africa, the Gates Foundation, and LifeArc. GC ADDA is focused on strengthening discovery and translational research capacity and accelerating the development of innovative solutions to address unmet medical needs across Africa. Since 2013, SAMRC’s Grand Challenges South Africa programme has funded South African scientists to catalyze innovative research. It is part of the global Grand Challenges network, which includes science and innovation initiatives on four continents.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/press-releases/samrc-strengthens-african-drug-discovery-and-supports-women-led-research-leadership

Our Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform recently hosted a delegation from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences Univer...
26/02/2026

Our Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform recently hosted a delegation from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University’s School of Science and Technology for a strategic engagement focused on strengthening research partnership and capacity development.

Researchers from both institutions presented their current projects, identified areas of scientific alignment, and explored opportunities for joint initiatives in biomedical research and innovation.

Such engagements are essential to advancing locally relevant research, building sustainable scientific capacity, and accelerating health innovation in South Africa.

We look forward to translating these discussions into impactful partnerships.

23/02/2026

Introducing SOS, Sharing Our Science series, where we share our research that creates impact that improve the health of our nation. In this episode, we speak to Professor Liesl Zühlke, Vice-President: Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio at the SAMRC, about her groundbreaking work in paediatric cardiology and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We also hear all about what we can do healthier this

Which healthy habits will you be aiming for? Let us know.

You are encouraged to please share with your loved ones.

This Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, we feature a systemic review from the Cochrane Library on Sporting Organisation ...
20/02/2026

This Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, we feature a systemic review from the Cochrane Library on Sporting Organisation Interventions to promote healthier behaviours and improve health outcomes. Supporting organisation interventions can be useful to increase physical activity and may also increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables. It is worth to mention that these studies were conducted in high-income countries. With South Africa being a sport-loving nation, it could be useful to explore the development of similar interventions relevant to our context.

This Plain-Language Summary was brought to you by Cochrane South Africa, providing trusted Evidence for better decisions." - https://www.samrc.ac.za/evidence-in-plain-language/promoting-healthy-behaviour-and-improving-health-outcomes-through

Pregnant or caring for a newborn in this heat? Temperatures across South Africa are rising.Heatwaves can increase the ri...
19/02/2026

Pregnant or caring for a newborn in this heat?

Temperatures across South Africa are rising.

Heatwaves can increase the risk of dehydration, exhaustion and heat stress for both mom and baby.

Research from our Environment & Health Research Unit, under the Climate Change and Human Health Research Programme, confirms that rising temperatures pose growing health risks for vulnerable groups.

Here’s how to stay safe and keep your little one protected.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Department of S...
18/02/2026

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), in partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific and the Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA (DSTI), proudly welcomed students from the University of Limpopo to the Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) today.

Over the next five weeks, the students will receive intensive training in advanced molecular science and laboratory management, strengthening critical scientific skills in-country and contributing to future pandemic preparedness and a more resilient health system.

CATIR was established with a clear and deliberate purpose to strengthen research capacity, accelerate innovation, and cultivate scientific excellence in South Africa which is in line with one of the SAMRC’s Strategic Goal to “Build human capacity for the long-term sustainability of the South African health research”.
# SAMRC

Media Release: New SAMRC and Clean Air Fund Project Report Launched to Provide an Evidence-Policy-Action Pathway for Sou...
18/02/2026

Media Release: New SAMRC and Clean Air Fund Project Report Launched to Provide an Evidence-Policy-Action Pathway for South Africa’s Air Pollution Priority Areas

A new research and policy initiative aimed at providing a pathway to reducing the severe health impacts of air pollution in South Africa’s most affected regions has been officially launched by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), with support from the Clean Air Fund.

The project builds on robust epidemiological evidence generated through a multi-site SAMRC study examining the health impacts of ambient air pollution in South Africa’s three Air Pollution Priority Areas: the Highveld, the Vaal Triangle, and the Waterberg–Bojanala region.

https://www.samrc.ac.za/press-releases/new-samrc-and-clean-air-fund-project-report-launched-provide-evidence-policy-action

Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President & CEO of the SAMRC, made closing remarks at the launch of ACHIEVE Africa during the 3...
17/02/2026

Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, President & CEO of the SAMRC, made closing remarks at the launch of ACHIEVE Africa during the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The initiative brought together African governments, institutions, and global partners to secure political commitment and strengthen Africa’s vaccine and therapeutic research, development, and manufacturing capacity.

Aligned with the Summit’s theme of advancing sustainable development and strengthening Africa’s resilience, ACHIEVE Africa addresses the continent’s shared priorities. For South Africans, and communities across Africa, it means reduced reliance on external sources, faster access to life-saving technologies, stronger local manufacturing, and more opportunities in the health sector.

In his remarks, Prof Ntusi highlighted what coordinated continental action can achieve: protecting communities, responding more swiftly in crises, and creating solutions developed in Africa, for Africa.

In recognition of Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, as designated on the Department of Health calendar, research from o...
09/02/2026

In recognition of Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, as designated on the Department of Health calendar, research from our Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit (NCDRU) shows that small, practical choices including movement, balanced meals, rest, and prevention, play an important role in reducing non-communicable diseases (NCDs such as diabetes and heart disease).

A healthy lifestyle looks different for everyone, influenced by habits, prevention, and access, not just expenditure.

Advancing Life, the SAMRC’s external newsletter, is out now.This issue marks the inaugural print distribution of the pub...
22/01/2026

Advancing Life, the SAMRC’s external newsletter, is out now.

This issue marks the inaugural print distribution of the publication, with copies strategically provided to selected schools and clinics.

The publication has been thoughtfully reworked to enhance reader engagement, supporting broader access to health research and extending into learning and care spaces.

A small newspaper, brought into real spaces, real hands, and real communities.
This is how we continue advancing life.

You can view the online version here:
https://www.samrc.ac.za/AdvancingLife/

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Our vision: Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation Our mission: To advance the nation’s health and quality of life and address inequity by conducting and funding relevant and responsive health research, capacity development, innovation and research translation If you look for jobs at the SAMRC click here: http://www.samrc.ac.za/job-opportunities