South African Medical Research Council

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The South African Medical Research Council recognises the catastrophic and persisting consequences of colonialism and apartheid, including land dispossession and the intentional imposition of educational and health inequities.

Acknowledging the SAMRC’s historical role in, and silence on, health and research inequalities during apartheid, the organisation commits its capacities and resources to continued promotion of equity and dignity in health and health care.
CATIR reaches 100-student milestone with University of Zululand cohort

The Centre for Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR) has reached a major milestone, having trained 100 university students in advanced molecular techniques and laboratory skills since its launch in July 2025. The milestone was reached when 20 st

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Twice as many young women used PrEP in communities reached by South Africa's My Journey Programme

More young women knew their HIV status, but HIV prevalence remained similar to matched comparison communities Young women living in South African communities reached by the My Journey Programme were twice as likely to have used HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

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SAMRC Vice-President Prof. Liesl Zühlke Appointed to National Health Research Committee

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is pleased to announce that Prof. Liesl Zühlke, Vice-President: Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio, has been appointed by the Acting Minister of Health, Minister Stella Ndabeni, to the National Health

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New Femicide Risk assessment and Safety Planning Tools Support South African Women at Risk

Pretoria, South Africa | 30 September 2026 The  South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has called for the urgent adoption and implementation of an evidence-based femicide risk assessment and safety planning tools to assist women experiencing se

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Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Technology to Strengthen Health Systems

Cardiovascular Disease and Diagnostic Challenges As the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a major burden on health care systems worldwide, accounting for approximately one-third of deaths in 2017 alone. Research shows that up to

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World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will gather the world’s safety leaders in South Africa to turn evidence into action

Researchers and safety experts from more than 80 countries and 481 organisations will converge at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 1–4 September 2026 for the 16th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 20

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STEAM-3D: A New Era of Data-Driven Public Health Decision Making in Africa

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has been awarded a Global Health EDCTP3 Grant for the Sustainable Training in Epidemiological Analysis and Modelling for Data-Driven Decision Making in Africa (STEAM-3D) project. The SAMRC has partnered with U

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Nominations for the 13th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards are now closed.

About us

Who we are

The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated to improving the health of people in South Africa, through research, innovation, development, and technology transfer. The scope of research includes laboratory investigations, clinical research, and public health studies.

We conduct research on South Africa’s quadruple burden of disease: maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS and TB, non-communicable diseases, and interpersonal violence. Our work is to acquire evidence-based information to inform health policy and practice and improve the quality and health status of people in South Africa.

Vision

Building a healthy nation through research, innovation and transformation

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