Page 18 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

Our mandate

The mandate of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC),
in terms of the MRC Act 58, 1991 (as amended), is to improve the
health and quality of life of South Africans. This needs to be realised
through research, development, and technology transfer.

Who we are

The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated to improving
the health of people in South Africa, through research, innovation,
development, and technology transfer. The scope of research includes
laboratory investigations, clinical research, and public health studies.

We conduct research on South Africa’s quadruple burden
of disease: maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS and TB,
non-communicable diseases, and interpersonal violence. Our work is
to acquire evidence-based information to inform health policy
and practice and improve the quality and health status
of people in South Africa.

We are the largest local funder of health research, medical
diagnostics, medical devices, and therapeutics. We are pioneers in
cutting edge medical innovations focusing on genomic research, the
development of novel treatment regimens, vaccine development,
diagnostic tools, and developing new drugs and devices.

Transformation remains an integral part of building sustainable
health research capacity in South Africa through Self-Initiated Research
(SIR) grants, the Mid-Career Scientist programme, the Bongani
Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme, and other programmes
and platforms, the SAMRC will continue to address gender, racial,
institutional, and geographic parity, and strengthen
our capacity to flourish in the 21st century. As a custodian
of health research, the SAMRC is building a healthy
nation through research and innovation.

16 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25