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PART B: SAMRC STRATEGIC FOCUS
continued
exchange rate challenges can pose financial risks perception of the country could lead to external
and uncertainties for SAMRC, affecting its ability to funders directing their resources elsewhere.
conduct research and fulfil its mission. Therefore, it is important for the country to have
good governance for the medical research system
The SAMRC collaborates with various international to function optimally.
partners for research and funding. Fluctuations
in exchange rates can affect the value of funds 10.4.1.16. Communities of funders
received or spent in foreign currencies, impacting To fulfil its mandate and increase access to health
research budgets and financial stability. The SAMRC research funding, the SAMRC has developed
may need to import medical equipment, supplies, relationships with local and international funders,
or research materials from other countries, and this including the NRF, NIH, EDCTP, BMGF, Newton
become very costly exercise due to exchange rate Fund, UK-MRC, and many others. The SAMRC also
fluctuations. hosts the African Health Research and Innovation
Funders Forum, aimed at better coordinating and
10.4.1.15. Corruption aligning funding for R&D on the continent.
Funding research organisations in LMICs can have
a significant positive effect on the economic and 10.4.2. Internal Environmental Analysis
political development of these countries. However, 10.4.2.1. Organisational Structure
donors considering providing financial support National Minister of Health
to such organisations will need to consider both The Administration of the SAMRC Act has been
integrity issues, such as the potential for conflict of assigned to the National Minister of Health who
interest or undue influence over research processes, provides the Executive Authority for the SAMRC.
as well as vulnerabilities to forms of corruption such In terms of the PFMA, the executive authority,
as fraud and embezzlement . in relation to a national public entity, means the
13
Cabinet member who is accountable to Parliament
The SAMRC’s operations are funded from both for that public entity or in whose portfolio it falls.
government and external funders. The negative
SAMRC BOARD
SAMRC PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
VICE PRESIDENT GRANTS
EXTRAMURAL CHIEF RESEARCH INNOVATION AND HUMAN CHIEF FINANCIAL GENERAL TRANSFORMATION
RESEARCH & OPERATIONS DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES OFFICER COUNSEL EXECUTIVE
INTERNAL OFFICER EXECUTIVE
PORTFOLIO EXECUTIVE
Figure 3. SAMRC Leadership Structure
13 Query (transparency.org). accessed 19 August 2024
34 SAMRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2025/26 – 2029/30