Page 142 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

Pan African Centre for
Epidemics Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya
refilwep@uj.ac.za

Overview of the Research Unit healthcare systems, and inform public health policy
and implementation strategies.
The SAMRC/UJ Pan African Centre for Epidemics
Research (PACER) Extramural Unit is dedicated PACER is also advancing the application of artificial
to generating cutting-edge epidemiological and intelligence (AI) and data science in health research
public health evidence to strengthen equitable and through initiatives focused on predictive analytics,
sustainable responses to HIV, local epidemics, and health inequalities, and evidence-informed
future pandemics across the African continent. decision-making. The Unit’s work contributes to

strengthening Africa’s capacity in epidemiology,
PACER’s scientific focus is centred on closing critical
gaps in the HIV response, particularly among public health intelligence, and pandemic
vulnerable and key populations disproportionately preparedness, while supporting progress towards
affected by HIV transmission and poor health the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and Sustainable
outcomes. The Unit conducts innovative, ambitious, Development Goals.
and data-driven studies that leverage large and
heterogeneous datasets from programmatic, Key Milestones and Achievements
research, and auxiliary sources to better understand The SAMRC/UJ PACER EMU has significantly
disease patterns, transmission dynamics, service contributed to epidemiological and public health
utilisation, and treatment outcomes. research aimed at enhancing responses to HIV and
future pandemics. The Unit’s research centres on
The Unit employs advanced analytical techniques, understanding local epidemics, their immediate
including big data analytics, machine learning, and broader impacts, and bolstering preparedness
predictive modelling, transmission modelling, for upcoming public health emergencies.
integrated analyses, small area estimation, and
longitudinal and cross-sectional epidemiological A major focus has been examining the impact of
methods. Through these techniques, PACER COVID-19 on HIV prevention, treatment, and care
develops evidence-based strategies that support services among key populations. PACER conducts
tailored HIV prevention, treatment, and care studies that characterise and measure disruptions
interventions sensitive to population diversity and to HIV services and identify strategies to maintain
local epidemic contexts. continuity of care and enhance service delivery
within primary healthcare systems.
In addition to HIV research, PACER contributes
to broader epidemic preparedness and health The Unit has also advanced research on
systems strengthening. The Unit investigates the vulnerable and key populations that are often
direct and indirect impacts of epidemics such as underrepresented in health data due to barriers
COVID-19 on healthcare delivery and continuity of related to stigma, discrimination, violence, and
HIV services, particularly among key populations. Its limited healthcare access. By leveraging existing
work supports efforts to improve service utilisation, datasets and applying big data analytics and
reduce morbidity and mortality, strengthen machine learning techniques, PACER generates

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