Page 117 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

death and address gaps in training on International
Classification of Diseases (ICD) principles.
The programme consists of five self-directed
modules featuring voice-over presentations and
downloadable learning materials. First launched in
2022, the programme is accredited for Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) points by the
Health Professions Council of South Africa and is
available through the death certification training
platform. More than 3 600 medical practitioners
and students have registered across all learning
platforms to date, with completion rates exceeding
65%.
To expand accessibility and uptake, BODRU piloted
a mobile subscription version of the course through
the EM Guidance platform during the reporting
year, providing sponsored access to 435 of more
than 1 000 subscribers. The course is also scheduled
for launch on the National Department of Health’s
Knowledge Hub e-learning platform on 22 April
2026. These initiatives are expected to improve
both uptake and completion rates nationally.
AI in Medical and Health Research

BODRU has a growing interest in applying artificial
intelligence (AI) to improve the accuracy, efficiency,
and timeliness of medical certification of cause-of-
death coding and reporting systems.

The Unit is also collaborating with the Health
Systems Research Unit and The George Institute
on a project to co-create an integrated e-health
intervention to address non-communicable
diseases and sexual and reproductive health
among adolescent girls and young women in rural
South Africa. Developed through a participatory
process involving a Youth Advisory Group, key
stakeholders and community engagement
activities, the project increasingly incorporates
AI and data-driven technologies to strengthen WHO-FIC Collaborating Centre meeting in
healthcare delivery and decision-making. Kigali, Rwanda.

Over the longer term, BODRU aims to explore
the use of AI-enabled predictive modelling to
identify emerging health priorities and forecast
the potential impact of demographic transitions,
migration, changing disease patterns and
multimorbidity on the South African health system.

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