Page 20 - SAMRC Strategic Plan

7. Vision 8. Mission

Building a healthy nation through research, To advance the nation’s health and quality of life
innovation and transformation. and address inequity by conducting and funding
relevant and responsive health research, capacity
development, innovation and research translation.
9. Values

The SAMRC is guided by the following values that form the foundation of our organisation:
VALUES DEFINITION
Pioneering We push the boundaries between the known and the unknown to further our knowledge of human
health within the prescripts of responsible (ethical) conduct of research.

Partnering We celebrate the capacity of collective minds towards a common goal. We build partnerships with
many stakeholders at local, national, regional and international levels to exchange ideas, advance
shared goals, optimise use of resources to minimise duplication, and leverage funding.
Excellence We strive for distinction in everything we do by developing highly skilled personnel, capacity building
and transformation, and conducting research of high value.
Respect We value and respect our communities, participants, researchers and funders.
Integrity We commit to transparency, accountability, open communication and ethical conduct.
Citizenship We demonstrate responsibility to the community, nation and the world.

10. Situational analysis commissioned research, national surveys and
ministerial committees. These have significantly
contributed towards assisting the NDOH in
10.1. General background
The SAMRC reports to the National Department progressively realising its priorities and set goals.
The SAMRC role and responsibilities in providing
of Health (NDOH) and is the largest local funder
of health research. The SAMRC funds discovery technical support to NDOH through appropriate
research as well as R&D aimed at developing new health research, public health and technology
innovation is indispensable and contributes towards
or improved medical diagnostics, medical devices,
treatment regimens, vaccines and therapeutics. improving the health status of South Africans.
Given this background and the functions imposed
on the SAMRC by and under the SAMRC Act 10.2. Key strategic outcomes for the
(namely to undertake the investigations or research 30-year period
which the Minister may assign to it; advise the As the nation celebrated 30 years of democracy in
Minister on the determination of policy and national 2024, it was fitting to reflect on the SAMRC strategic
priorities regarding research; and on development, outcomes over the past 30 years. The SAMRC research
promotion, implementation and coordination of was focused on the top ten causes of morbidity and
research on a national basis), the SAMRC is well mortality, disability and associated risk factors in the
positioned to facilitate and support the NDOH South African population. The SAMRC has been
in implementing evidenced-based policies and involved in various research initiatives, collaborations,
programmes. The SAMRC research programmes and studies critical in advancing medical research and
have in the past provided research support to healthcare in the region. Some key strategic issues
the NDOH programmes through task teams, that the organisation undertook include:

SAMRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2025/26 – 2029/30 19