Page 7 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Council's research priorities remain aligned contraction in health research funding, the Council
with South Africa’s most pressing health recognises the urgency of diversifying its funding
challenges. In 2024/25, substantial progress was base. Accordingly, the Board fully endorses the
made in driving transformation and capacity executive leadership’s drive to mobilise alternative
development, notably through investments in the financial resources and calls upon governmental,
next generation of health scientists and research private, and philanthropic sectors to partner with us in
leaders. Furthermore, the SAMRC’s enduring sustaining health research excellence in South Africa.
commitment to translating research into policy and
practice – the bedrock of our approach – continues To this end, the SAMRC has strategically reinforced
to yield tangible improvements in national and its alliances with prominent funding partners,
global health outcomes. including the National Research Foundation (NRF),
the European & Developing Countries Clinical
As a key actor within the global health research Trials Partnership (EDCTP), the Bill & Melinda Gates
ecosystem, the SAMRC reaffirms its alignment with Foundation (BMGF), the Newton Fund, and the UK
the Rio de Janeiro Declaration on Health Sovereignty, Medical Research Council (UK-MRC). Moreover, our
a framework advocating for equitable access to stewardship as host of the African Health Research
diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics across
the Global South. This commitment underscores and Innovation Funders Forum further exemplifies
our enduring mission to address health inequities our leadership in aligning and optimising health
through pioneering research and innovation. research investments across the African continent.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional As Chairperson of the SAMRC Board, I am
Office for Africa aptly reminds us: "Strengthening unequivocally confident that the achievements of the
health research systems in Africa is not optional; 2024/25 financial year have further entrenched the
it is indispensable for advancing health, reducing Council’s status as a continental and global leader in
inequities, and achieving sustainable development." advancing impactful research across infectious, non-
This principle animates and guides our collective communicable, and emerging health challenges.
efforts to produce research that is both meaningful
and transformative.

Aligned with the Decadal Plan’s call for an open,
transparent, and responsive National System of
Innovation, the SAMRC has cultivated a research
environment that is inclusive, collaborative, and Professor Johnny Mahlangu
societally responsive. Confronted with the global SAMRC Board Chairperson

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25 5