Page 35 - SAMRC Strategic Plan
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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


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