Page 104 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

South Africa participates in RePORT, an eight country consortium and one of the world’s largest tuberculosis
foundational science research networks.

integrating cause-of-death data with electronic major outcome of SAMRC's investment in SHIFT-TB
medical records to better identify excess mortality has been the establishment of a highly productive
trends. The initiative also supports the establishment clinical research site in a historically disadvantaged
of the SAMRC One Health Collaboration setting. The site now forms part of the RePORT
Centre, which focuses on improved diagnostics, consortium, demonstrating the successful
surveillance, early detection, and risk modelling for leveraging of initial investments. Research activities
zoonotic, vector-borne, and respiratory pathogens have also expanded to Nontyatyambo Community
with epidemic and pandemic potential. Health Centre in the same region.

The Unit Director has additionally been appointed This initiative has significant potential to improve
Chair of the Institute for Pandemic Prevention drug-resistant TB outcomes in the Eastern Cape
and Preparedness (IP3), a national collaboration through integrated research and clinical support
involving nine universities, the NICD, and the while strengthening local research capacity and
SAMRC, funded by the NRF. creating employment opportunities within the
community.
Innovative financing and
The unit has also made substantial contributions
Social Impact Bonds
to human capital development through structured
The unit continues to expand its portfolio of mentorship and supervision of postgraduate
innovative financing initiatives and Social Impact students and postdoctoral fellows. Scientific
Bonds. This includes the pilot phase of a Social capacity has further been strengthened through
Impact Bond to improve multidrug-resistant regular science colloquia and interdisciplinary
TB outcomes, as well as technical and funding knowledge-sharing platforms.
initiatives to address cataract surgery backlogs
through outcomes-based financing models. Beyond academia, OATB actively engages
communities through outreach initiatives, including
Building Capacity Through World AIDS Day and World TB Day awareness
Training, Mentorship, and Support campaigns hosted at the SAMRC Pretoria
campus and in Soweto in partnership with Ahang
OATB co-funds the “Determinants of Treatment Mphakhathi Solutions. These initiatives have
Outcomes with an Injection-Free Shorter provided essential services, including TB screening,
Regimen for Multidrug- and Rifampicin-Resistant HIV testing, deworming for children, and measles
Tuberculosis” (SHIFT-TB) project, based at Nkqubela immunisation referrals, thereby improving access to
Chest Hospital in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. A preventive and primary healthcare.

102 SA M R C A N N U A L R EP O R T 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6