Page 66 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

to severe depressive symptoms. The design of large-
scale pragmatic interventions in SA and Kenya is
underway.
SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt led some 18 research
teams across E, W, Southern Africa and South Asia
to establish the mortality impacts of COVID-19; a
journal supplement (Population Health Metrics)
is soon to appear. Technological innovation is an
evolving theme including tablet-based approaches
to cognitive assessment; AI-informed ultrasound of
respiratory function in children and heart function
in adults; and a promising app for management
of adolescent depression in remote communities.
Just-funded (NIH) portable MRI capability is being
installed.

Building Capacity Through
Training, Mentorship, and Support

Building/strengthening capacity is integral to the
work of SAMRC/Wits-Agincourt. Singling out key
aspects: Early-stage career paths, notably doctoral
and postdoc levels, are a priority and advanced at
scale, with work nested in productive research lines. Wits Agincourt member explains data to a
Moreover, Unit staff are integral to doctoral training community member.
in the Wits Public Health School, Prof Kathleen
Kahn (principal scientist) heading up a flagship
programme of School and Faculty. is making an impact, working with Wits' School of
Business Sciences and supported by government
Similarly, emphasis is placed on academic
advancement of technical, professional and SETA initiatives.
administrative staff whose achievement at honours
and masters levels is impressive – and contributes Navigating the Impact of US
to the professional standards and overall excellence Executive Orders on Funding
expected of the Unit. To-date, our research unit has not experienced a
The Unit's health and socio-demographic research direct impact from Executive stop orders (although
platform is amongst the strongest on the African sister Wits research groups with USAID funding
continent. Unit technical and research staff play a have been directly affected). Since the Unit receives
leading role in strengthening the longitudinal R&D support from several NIH grants, it is 'exposed' to
platforms and related surveillance data across the Executive Orders affecting the NIH; the situation
region. Analytic work on COVID-19 excess mortality, continues to unfold amidst considerable uncertainty.
referenced above, had major knock-on effects As of now: a notice-of-award, received from the
strengthening data platforms and related technical National Institute on Aging (NIA) to introduce
and analytic capacity of some 18 population-based
research centres in West, East and Southern Africa portable MRI to rural Agincourt has been received.
and South Asia (Bangladesh and India). A just-in-time received by an R21 project focused
on climate and migration (from NICHD), which
The Unit is situated among rural communities received an excellent score, has yet to hear further
facing excessively high levels of unemployment. – likely because Council meetings to approve such
Innovative efforts to support skills development funding have been delayed (and funding cannot be
and entrepreneurial activity of unemployed youth assumed).

64 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25