Page 158 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

wall suction component based on feedback from from birth to death on community health. By tracking
healthcare professionals. This device has been these trends over time, the HAALSA study deepens
registered with SAHPRA for sale in South Africa. the understanding of the complex interplay between
ageing and community health in the African context.
South African Population
Research Infrastructure Equitable capacity development for
Network (SAPRIN) empowering communities
SAPRIN is deeply committed to nurturing the next
Prioritising responsive research generation of scientists and fostering their growth
through impactful interventions and development within the scientific community.
The South African Population Research Infrastructure As part of this commitment, we recently mentored
Network (SAPRIN) is a vital part of the Department a black African male data science intern, providing
of Science and Innovation's initiative to develop guidance and support as he honed his skills within
research infrastructure networks in South Africa. this domain. The intern actively participated in
Comprising six Health and Demographic Surveillance various statistical and coding workshops, significantly
Systems (HDSSs) across five provinces, SAPRIN advancing his proficiency, and laying a strong
includes three rural nodes in Agincourt, DIMAMO, foundation for his future career in data science.
and AHRI, and three urban nodes in GRT-INSPIRED, In addition to our mentorship initiatives, SAPRIN has
C-SHARP, and USINGA. We issued a request for also taken significant steps to promote equity and
applications for an additional node which will be in inclusivity within the scientific realm. Our first PhD
either the Free State, North-West, or Eastern Cape fellowship, granted to a black male candidate from
provinces. This will further expand the variance in the University of Limpopo at the DIMAMO node,
the demographic data within the network.
signifies a commitment to rectifying past injustices
Monitoring over 415,000 individuals from 113,728 and advancing opportunities for historically
households, SAPRIN captures data on 644,548 marginalised institutions and individuals. By
unique individuals, representing over 5.7 million supporting this initiative, SAPRIN aims to contribute
person-years of observations. This extensive cohort to a more diverse and inclusive scientific community,
provides valuable insights into the quadruple burden creating opportunities for both the recipient and the
of disease and internal migration patterns within the broader scientific landscape.
country, despite not being nationally representative.
Furthermore, we recognise the importance of
The comprehensive data collected by SAPRIN investing in the leadership and management
facilitates the transferability of findings to similar capabilities of our team members. Our Data
contexts and the calibration of national data sets, Scientist undertook a Management Development
such as those of Statistics South Africa. This capability Course at the University of Stellenbosch, enhancing
significantly enhances the understanding of health his leadership capabilities and ensuring that he
and demographic trends in South Africa, helping is well-equipped to lead and manage our data
to inform decision-making and policy formulation. science initiatives. Additionally, the Deputy Director,
SAPRIN data highlighted the high prevalence of currently engaged in a management development
internal migration, particularly among young adults, programme at the SAMRC, is further refining his
with temporary out-migration rates increasing and strategic management skills and ensuring that
permanent migration rates declining, contributing SAPRIN remains at the forefront of scientific research
to the Migration Profile Report of South Africa, 2023. and innovation.

Longitudinal data's value lies in its ability to reveal In addition, our Office Manager completed an
the life course trajectory of a community. The advanced project management course at the
Health and Ageing in Africa: Longitudinal Studies University of the Witwatersrand, equipping her
in South Africa (HAALSA) study, based in Agincourt, with the necessary tools to efficiently oversee and
Mpumalanga, explores the implications of ageing execute projects within SAPRIN.

156 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24