Page 162 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

of statisticians in South Africa makes it difficult to positioned to respond to or address healthcare
create and sustain a pool of experts specialising in problems in rural communities through policy-
biostatistics. In this financial year, RCD ran a request for relevant analyses, implementation science, and
applications to recruit masters candidates in an effort basic and translational research. Developing health
to build capacity in this strategic field and successfully and clinical research capacity in HDIs will broaden
recruited an additional MSc Biostatistics candidate, and deepen the involvement of these health and
leading to a total of four students supported for clinical researchers in rural communities, to ensure
this financial year, all African black, of which two are equitable access to quality health care services
female and two registered at HDIs. All four students and consequently improve healthcare delivery. The
have a strong foundation in statistics or mathematical recently graduated scholars also act as agents of
statistics. It is anticipated that the funded students social change as they do not only investigate the
will in future provide statistical support for health issues affecting marginalised groups but partner with
research studies or lead statistical studies. them in their work to drive societal transformation.
Dr Babalwa Tyabashe-Phume, a social worker funded
Over the years RCD has intentionally increased under the Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars
participation from historically disadvantaged groups Programme, through her PhD study, developed a
particularly South African black and women. In the conceptual framework to ensure that people living
year under review, 33 scholars graduated (30 PhDs with intellectual disabilities are included when
and 3 MSc). Amongst recently completed scholars developing social and health-related policies in
are Dr Takalani Mbedzi, a lecturer at University of South Africa. Dr Thendo Makhado funded under the
Venda, Dr Thendo Makhado, a junior lecturer at Researcher Development Programme developed
University of Venda, and Dr Makweni Sibuyi, a lecturer an Epilepsy Life Skills Education Guidelines for
at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Primary Schools in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga
This is an important contribution as it adds to the provinces, with the goal of fostering an inclusive
national goal of increasing the number of academics learning environment for all children. Moreover,
with PhD qualifications in historically disadvantaged she facilitated a partnership between the University
institutions. Moreover, HDIs are rural-based and and a local special school, working to empower and
therefore researchers in these institutions are well- educate parents of children with special needs.

160 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24