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.
Becoming a mother despite pregnancy-related heart failure

Two new studies supported by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) have been published by Cape Heart Institute Researcher Prof. Karen Sliwa and her team. These studies focus on treatment with bromocriptine and the possibility of subsequent pregn

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SAMRC to honour leading health researchers at its 11th Scientific Merit Awards

On 20 February 2025, The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) will, on Thursday 20 February 2025, host its 11th Scientific Merit Awards to celebrate some of the finest scientific minds in health research. These prestigious awards, regarded as the

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Disability Data Initiative (DDI) Launches Comprehensive Dataset to Advance Disability Rights

The Disability Data Initiative (DDI) has launched two pioneering databases to address one of the most significant barriers to disability inclusion: the lack of reliable, disaggregated data. This initiative, led by Fordham University in collaboration with the S

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The world remains unprepared for another global pandemic, despite national bright spots, as the 4th Implementation Report of the 100 Days Mission is launched in Cape Town

Latest 100 Days Mission Implementation Report shows the world remains unprepared for another global pandemic, five years after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declaration. The 2024 100DM Scorecard reveals limited prog

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New scoping review shows SAMRC’s role in advancing tobacco control research in South Africa

Cape Town | Tobacco consumption remains a leading cause of preventable deaths and disease, accounting for the deaths of approximately 8 million people annually across the world. South Africa (SA) is one of the leading countries in tobacco control research in t

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South African Study Confirms Safety and Effectiveness of COVID-19 Booster for Healthcare Workers

A new study sponsored by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health has provided encouraging results on the safety and effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine booster among healthcare workers, including th

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SAMRC Gender and Health Research Unit Report Featured in UN Global Femicide Study

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Gender and Health Research Unit's (GHRU) pivotal research on femicide has been prominently featured in the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) latest annual report, Femicides in 2023 - Global

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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

African traditional medicines - AI generated

February 13, 2025 SA needs to use its indigenous knowledge to boost the health sector and the economy

African traditional medicines (ATMs) have been a cornerstone of healthcare for centuries, yet they remain underappreciated and und…

Professor Ntobeko Ntusi is the president and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council

February 12, 2025 SA health research facing catastrophic financing cuts

Cuts to United States funding of health research could have “catastrophic” consequences, says Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, who is at t…

Prof Ntobeko Ntusi delivers the annual Dr Stuart Saunders Memorial Lecture

February 12, 2025 ‘Greater moral courage’ necessary to transform global health

No country can achieve sustainable development without building capacity in science and technology. So, there’s a need to reinforc…

Request for Applications

EP PerMed Joint Transnational Call (JTC) 2025

The European Partnership for Personalised Medicine, EP PerMed, supported by the European Union under…

Request for Applications: U.S.-South Africa Program for Collaborative Biomedical Research – Phase 3 (HIV/AIDS)

Closing date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 16:00

The SAMRC is pleased to announce the release of a new funding opportunity by the US National Institu…

February 19 - February 19

Webinar: Advancing Disability Rights Monitoring through Disaggregated Statistics in Sub-Saharan Africa: Launch Event

February 20 -

11th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards

February 26 -

SAPRIN Population Science Seminar Series

February 27 - February 27

Webinar: Health system factors influencing the prevention and treatment of rheumatic heart disease in nine African countries: Cameroon, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia

February 27 - February 27

Webinar: Climate Change and Human Health

February 27 - February 27

SAMRC UHC/NHI Webinar: Re-Imagining Sexual and Reproductive Health services for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa

April 6 - April 9

PHASA 2025, 6 - 9 April 2025

May 14 - May 15

5th Cochrane Africa Indaba 2025

May 22 - May 23

2nd South African Clinician Scientists Conference

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