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SAMRC has an important role to play in improving deeply aligns with the SAMRC’s mission, to advance
the state of health in the country through (a) the nation’s health and quality of life and address
leading health research and innovation, (b) asking inequity by conducting and funding relevant and
the right questions and producing relevant responsive health research, capacity development,
evidence, (c) supporting government, civil society innovation and research translation.
and academia, and (d) promoting equity in health
and health research. 10.4.1.7. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
According to the Assembly of the WHO, “the transfer
10.4.1.6. Public Health Emergencies of of technology and knowledge on mutually agreed
International Concern (PHEIC) terms, as well as technical cooperation, aligned with
The International Health Regulations of 2005 SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation
define PHEIC as, “an extraordinary event which and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable
is determined to constitute a public health risk to development), are important in promoting digital
other states through the international spread of health”3. Among other things, the assembly urged
disease and to potentially require a coordinated member states to (1) assess their use of digital
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international response” . The World Health technologies for health, (2) consider, as appropriate,
Organization is responsible for declaring PHEIC. how digital technologies could be integrated
into existing health systems infrastructures and
The South African NDOH recently issued a statement regulation, (3) to identify priority areas where
calling for calm as the World Health Organization normative guidance and technical assistance and
declared Mpox a PHEIC. In the statement NDOH advice on digital health would be beneficial.
“assured members of the public that the current
Mpox outbreak remains under control in the Emerging technologies, such as AI, machine
country, however, that does not mean people should learning, and quantum computing, are transforming
become complacent because we have learned from the world at an unprecedented pace. These powerful
COVID-19 pandemic that viruses are unpredictable tools have the potential to solve some of the greatest
as they mutate from time to time. The declaration global health and development challenges, from
does not translate into trade and travel restrictions infectious diseases to climate change to poverty
but serve as a clarion call for member states including and inequality – if developed responsibly, safely, and
South Africa to work together, fast-track approval of ethically. According to the WHO Global Strategy on
the Mpox vaccine and treatment while maintaining Digital Health, technologies are rapidly transforming
strict safety protocols, and ensure these life-saving healthcare delivery worldwide, streamlining patient
vaccines reach the most vulnerable populations information management, enabling remote
to prevent further spread of this infectious, but consultations, and empowering individuals to
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treatable disease, and the loss of lives” . monitor their health. However, these innovations
must be developed by and for communities where
Of relevance is the Rio De Janeiro declaration on global health challenges are most acute, particularly
health sovereignty in innovation and development of in LMICs, for the greatest impact.
diagnostics, vaccines and medications for addressing
PHEIC in the Global South (see Annexure A). The The SAMRC President & CEO, Professor Ntobeko
SAMRC welcomes this declaration since it seeks to Ntusi, said that “the digital age of healthcare has
address inequitable access to life saving medical already arrived – and AI has a clear role to play. To
innovations and technology by the populations in realise the potential of AI to improve health and well-
the Global South, which was highly evident during being worldwide, we need to equip and support
the COVID-19 pandemic. This declaration also local innovators – who understand how best to

4 International Health Regulation (2005) (who.int). Accessed 19 August 2024
5 Health calls for calm as WHO declares Mpox a public health emergency of international concern | South African Government (www.
gov.za). Accessed 19 August 2024

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