Page 26 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

The SAMRC and TGI approved seed-funding for seven (7) SAMRC-TGI joint projects starting on 1 December 2023
for a 3-year period. The ongoing projects are:

No. Title Name of PI SAMRC Unit

1 Exploring a syndemic approach to understanding the Dr Nasheeta Peer Non-communicable
bi-directional link between type 2 diabetes mellitus and Diseases Research Unit
depression, and implications for the integrated care process
in South Africa and India

2 Collaboration to explore and identify research priorities for Prof. Tamara Kredo Health Systems
enhancing health systems governance and leadership for Research Unit
UHC in South Africa

3 A co-creation-based approach to developing an integrated Dr Kim Jonas Health Systems
e-health intervention package for non-communicable Research Unit
diseases and sexual and reproductive health for women and
girls in South Africa

4 An investigation into improving screening, prevention, Dr Vundli Ramokolo HIV and Other
management, and control of maternal multimorbidity in Infectious Diseases
South Africa and India Research Unit
5 Formative work for the design of South Africa’s first health- Dr Darshini Govindasamy Health Systems
related quality of life (EQ-5D) adult valuation study Research Unit
6 Piloting the functionality of the African Network for chronic Dr Cindy George Non-communicable
kidney disease epidemiology: The CKD-Africa Collaboration Diseases Research Unit

7 ENGAGE-WC: Empowering Non-fatal injury-data Dr Megan Prinsloo Burden of Disease
Governance, Analysis and Grassroots Engagement in the Research Unit
Western Cape

Global Forum on Bioethics South Africa admitted to the
in Research (GFBR) International Human Frontier Science
The Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR) Program Organization
hosted its annual Global Forum in Kuala Lumpur, The Human Frontier Science Program Organization
Malaysia from 19 – 20 November 2024. The focus (HFSPO), the National Research Foundation of
of the 2024 Forum was on ‘Ethical issues arising in South Africa (NRF), and the SAMRC entered
research into health and climate change’. The GFBR, into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on
with its Secretariat hosted by WHO, is supported by 24 February 2023. The SAMRC and the NRF serve as
several international research funders including the joint institutional members. South Africa is the 16th
Wellcome Trust, UK Medical Research Council, the country to be admitted, and the only country from
U.S. National Institutes of Health and the SAMRC. Africa.
The Forum serves as a global platform for debate on
ethical issues in international health research bringing This membership underscores the value that South
together research ethics experts, researchers, policy Africa places on supporting fundamental research
makers and community members from developing in the understanding of complex mechanisms in the
and developed countries. Participants are selected life sciences to advance industry, health, and human
on a competitive basis, based on structured well-being. As a member, South Africa works closely
submissions requiring a motivated account of each with other HFSPO members to support innovative
applicant’s engagement. basic research; apply novel and interdisciplinary

24 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25