Page 41 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

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

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS UNDER THIS PROGRAMME

Antimicrobial Resistance and
Global Health Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Pascal Obong Bessong
Pascal.Bessong@univen.ac.za

Overview of the Research Unit In 2025, the Unit’s Director was awarded a DSTI/
NRF South African Research Chair in Community
The Antimicrobial Resistance and Global Health
Research Unit is based within the Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance.
Pathogen and Global Health at the University
of Venda. Established in 2022, the Unit has Key Milestones and Achievements
built an interdisciplinary team of researchers Prospective datasets on antimicrobial resistance
spanning microbiology, bioinformatics, genomics, for discovery and evidence generation remain
medical sociology, ethnography, public health, limited across African communities. The Unit’s
bioethics, geographical information systems, overarching goal is therefore to generate large-
and clinical psychology. Together, the team seeks scale longitudinal datasets to better understand
comprehensive solutions to the growing challenge AMR acquisition dynamics at the population level.
of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in communities During the 2025/2026 period, the Unit conducted
with low socio-economic status. two major research projects.
Through research, training, education, and science
communication, the Unit aims to generate evidence
that strengthens the management of infectious
diseases in underserved communities, thereby
improving equitable access to healthcare.
To advance its objectives, the Unit collaborates with
the Department of Microbiology at Sefako Makgatho
Health Sciences University; the Department of
Laboratory Medicine at Walter Sisulu University; the
Centre for Global Health Equity at the University of
Virginia (USA); the Faculty of Medicine at Mbarara
University of Science and Technology (Uganda); and
the Institute for Global Health in Haydom, Tanzania.

To ensure long-term sustainability, Unit researchers
actively pursue continuous professional
development and additional funding opportunities Prof Bessong addressing the attendees at the
to support the Unit’s ambitious and resource- Annual meeting.
intensive prospective cohort research projects.

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