Page 53 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

Table 14. SAMRC Extramural Research Units’ purpose continued

EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH UNITS
Unit Strategic Focus

Rural Public Health and Health To better understand the dynamics of health, population and social transitions
Transitions Research Unit in rural South Africa and southern Africa to mount a more effective public health,
public sector and social response.
Vaccine and Infectious To study the causes, management and prevention of pneumonia and meningitis
Diseases Analytics Research infections with expanded initial focus on pneumococcal disease, to other
Unit (formerly Respiratory and common bacterial and viral causes of childhood morbidity and mortality (Group
Meningeal Pathogens Research B streptococcus (GBS), rotavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), pertussis, and
Unit) influenza virus) as well as to integrate clinical, epidemiological and basic science
research to improve the health of Africans through vaccines.
Violence, Injury and Social Cognisant of the gender asymmetries in health, with a historical interest in the
Asymmetries Research Unit disproportionate involvement of men in injury and violence, the SAMRC Violence,
Injury and Social Asymmetries Research Unit (VISARU) undertakes, hosts and
supports evidence-based research on men, boys, masculinity and health. In addition
to research, community-mobilising interventions, research-based advocacy, and
public dissemination will form a strong triangulated core of the work of VISARU
Wound and Keloid Scarring To optimise tissue culture models for dermal wound healing after injury with
Translational Research Unit particular focus to skin scarring and dermal fibrosis.

9.3.22 Formation of the SAMRC foundation (a) Grants in less well-resourced but important
The SAMRC plays a critical role in building, health priority areas for South Africa and
supporting and participating in the national health other developing countries (e.g. malaria and
research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem. Although neglected tropical diseases);
its reach and impact are extensive, funding
constraints limit its ability to continue to expand (b) Grants in emerging and topical priority areas
the organisation’s support for and participation in not included in the SAMRC’s strategic plan
existing and new R&I initiatives. The establishment or covered adequately by existing grant
of an SAMRC Foundation as a separate not-for-profit mechanisms;
entity offers an opportunity to attract additional and (c) Investments in innovation projects to take new
non-traditional funding into the health R&I domain technologies to scale and/or facilitate and
and to support an expanded R&I agenda that both evaluate their implementation;
complements and expands the mandate covered by
the SAMRC. (d) Investments in research and development
infrastructure and facilities that have broad
The objective is to establish an SAMRC Foundation application;
to raise, invest and grow donor funds that will serve
as an endowment/funding source to support existing (e) Career development awards that extend the
and new research areas, initiatives and capacity reach of the SAMRC’s capacity development
development in the national health research and activities; and
innovation arena. The Foundation will independently
pursue its objective that will complement, extend (f) Convening strategic meetings, conferences
and expand the mission and impact of the SAMRC and think tanks in topical priority areas to
and will benefit from the SAMRC’s reputation and enhance cooperation, strategic priority setting
brand. It would support similar activities to those and development and dissemination.
supported by the SAMRC, including for example:

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