Page 8 - SAMRC Annual Performance Plan 2026-27

STATEMENT BY THE

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE

SAMRC

The South African Medical Research to lead, promote, innovate and fund research based
on local development priorities, while ensuring that
Council (SAMRC) continued leadership
our research is locally, regionally, continentally and
in medical research in South Africa is
globally relevant.
guided by the Strategic Plan (SP) 2025-
The MTDP 2024-2029 strategic priority 1 focuses on
2030, which has five programmes, namely
driving inclusive growth and job creation and one of
the administration of health research its outcomes is for dynamic science, technology and
in an effective and efficient manner; innovation ecosystem for growth. The SAMRC will
the generation of new knowledge and contribute to this outcome through the Centre for
Advanced Training and Innovative Research (CATIR),
its translation into policy and practice;
a partnership between SAMRC, Thermo-Fischer
supporting innovation and technology
Scientific and Department of Science, Technology
transfer to improve health; building and Innovation (DSTI), which provides hands-on
sustainable health research capacity in molecular technique training, focusing on technology
South Africa; and research translation. and applications, laboratory management and
personal development skills for students, mainly
These programmes have bold indicators
from the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions
to meet the SAMRC mandate and make a (HDIs). Through this approach, training will bridge
difference to millions of lives. the gap between academic theory and practical
application, equipping future scientists with the
This APP 2026/27 derives its outcomes from the SP skills to lead research and healthcare advancements
2025-2030 and is an important framework for the relevant to the local needs. CATIR reflects SAMRC’s
sustainable progress that we are making towards belief in the value of investing in the infrastructure
our commitment to promote the improvement and expertise that will help our country address local
of the health and quality of life of the population gaps in critical areas of science.
of the Republic through research, innovation,
development, and technology transfer and The wider transformation of the SAMRC community,
achieving the objectives that are set out in our new science and society remains an integral part of
SP. With this mandate and the need to strengthen our strategy. In our health and history statement,
research and development to generate key reliable we “recognises the catastrophic and persisting
information for health planning, service delivery and consequences of colonialism and apartheid,
monitoring, the SAMRC is well positioned to play an including land dispossession and the intentional
important role in decreasing the disease burden in imposition of educational and health inequities”.
improving the state of health in the country through We therefore commit to upholding the fundamental
(a) leading health research and innovation, (b) principles of social justice, redress and equity, non-
asking the right questions and producing relevant racialism and non-sexism, respect for the human rights
evidence, (c) supporting government, civil society and investing in people. We also commit to creating
and academia, and (d) promoting equity in health a new generation of science leaders and to develop
and health research. This APP highlights our focus scientific capacity and transformation of the pipeline

6 SAMRC ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN 2026/27