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3 Legislative mandate Based on the mandates given by the National Health
Act (Act 61 of 2003) and the South African Medical
Research Council Act 1991 (Act 58 of 1991), SAMRC
3.1 National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) has in the past years been focusing on the top
The SAMRC is guided by this mandate to prioritize ten causes of death, disability and associated risk
its research programmes and through the SAMRC factors. We assess how healthcare systems function
Board interaction with the NHRC and the NDOH to to strengthen health policy, to improve the impact
give effect to the mandate. and efficiency of health systems and services, and
provide policy makers with the tools for informed
3.2 Medical Research Council Act (Act healthcare decisions.
58 of 1991)
The South African Medical Research Council 3.3 Intellectual Property, Rights from
was established in 1969 by section 2 of the South Publicly Financed Research and
African Medical Research Council Act 1969 (Act 19 Development (Act 51 of 2008)
of 1969). The SAMRC Act 19 of 1969 was repealed The SAMRC is subjected to this Act which aims to
and replaced by the South African Medical Research provide for more effective utilization of intellectual
Council Act 1991 (Act 58 of 1991). The SAMRC is property emanating from publicly financed research
a Schedule 3A Public Entity to the Public Finance and development, to establish the National
Management Act (Act 1 of 1999) and reports to the Intellectual Property Management Office and
National Ministry of Health. the Intellectual Property Fund, to provide for the
establishment of offices of technology transfer at
The SAMRC is guided by the South African Medical institutions, and to provide for matters connected
Research Council Act 1991 (Act 58 of 1991) to improve therewith.
the health of the South African population, through
research, development and technology transfer, for
the people to enjoy a better quality of life.

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