Page 173 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

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

THE MZANSIMED SOLUTION
The MzansiMed tool developed by the University of the Western Cape

MzansiMed: Al-powered Machine Learning Multi-Language Support
Clarity in Every Conversation Utilising cutting edge Al and Developing an App that is capable to
MzansiMed, an Al solution that machine learning technologies to translate across multiple languages,
breaks down linguistic walls, provide accurate translations and thereby addressing diverse linguistic
offering real-time translation and cultural insights. needs in healthcare advancement in
cultural understanding. Leveraging South Africa and beyond.
advanced Al, MzansiMed aims to go
beyond conventional word-for-word Academic Collaboration
interpretation, ensuring that the core
message is conveyed, without loss of Fusion of expertise from two Transforming Healthcare
meaning in translation. prominent universities, leveraging Communication
Al, healthcare, computer sciences Our goal is a South Africa where every
and linguistic knowledge to drive this patient understands their healthcare,
transformative project. irrespective of their language.

promoting researcher mobility and capacity response, preparedness, and regulation, including
development, and strengthening South Africa’s TB delegates from the Africa CDC and SAHPRA. Key
research ecosystem. SAMRC remains committed to outcomes of the workshop included enhanced data
guiding the partnership to ensure all projects achieve and knowledge sharing, expanded collaborations,
their intended scientific and public health outcomes. strengthened research networks, regulatory
insights and advice, and a collective call for ongoing
MPox Programme engagement. The planning of a second SAMRC
The SAMRC, in collaboration with DSTI through MPox workshop is underway.
the SHIP programme, launched an RFA in 2024 to
support research and product development on MPox
in South Africa, resulting in 6 grant awards. These
projects span vaccine development, monoclonal
antibodies for therapeutic application, diagnostics
and surveillance across a range of institutions.
On 2 June 2025, the SAMRC convened the first MPox
Programme Workshop, chaired by Ms. Candice Roux,
GIPD Programme Manager, and attended by all
funded PIs. The workshop was hosted by Prof. Wendy
Stevens and Prof. Lesley Scott at the Wits Diagnostic
Innovation Hub (Wits DIH) in Johannesburg. The
workshop aimed to explore and leverage synergies MPox workshop held at the Wits Diagnostic
among the funded projects, and encourage a Innovation Hub in Johannesburg on
more integrated, collaborative approach to MPox 2 June 2025 with representatives from the
research in South Africa to address the epidemic. SAMRC, MPox project PIs, collaborators,
Africa CDC and SAHPRA.
The workshop brought together representatives
from various institutions engaged in the MPox

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