Page 74 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Health Induced Sputum Training. Staff Photo End of Year Function 2024.

of long-acting monoclonal antibodies in infants. gained was shared with the lung function team over
These contributed to recent WHO recommendation multiple workshops which have strengthened local
for global implementation of such strategies as capacity and processes.
well as National Advisory Group on Immunisation
recommendation for use in SA. Navigating the Impact of US
Executive Orders on Funding
Building Capacity Through The US Executive Orders have created insecurity
Training, Mentorship, and Support around funding from the National Institutes of
The Unit continues to contribute to building capacity Health. We have experienced delays with the
in clinical translational science through national and approval of no-cost extensions and confirmation
international collaborations. Research has involved of sub-award funding on one of our projects, which
technology transfer, skills transfer, and training of while initially approved by the NIH, is awarded each
many postgraduate students. The unit currently year of the grant. There is concern that funded
supports the work of 45 post-graduate students projects could be halted and discontinued. Our
(Masters, PhD and Post Doctoral) across the fields funding for the 2025-2026 period for these grants is
of child health, Public Health, general medicine, therefore uncertain and remains unconfirmed. Loss
psychiatry, radiology, microbiology and statistics. of funding will have a direct impact on staff that
are funded by that study entirely and that operate
Over the past 5 years, 79% of the graduates have essential capacity-building functions in the field of
been female, while 56% have come from previously paediatric tuberculosis in one of our underserved
disadvantaged backgrounds. Students and graduates satellite sites in the Eastern Cape. For another study
continue to contribute to child and maternal health we are adjusting timelines to ensure that funding will
across these areas. Work has contributed to new be available to cover most project costs.
knowledge and advances in the fields of childhood
pneumonia, TB, RSV, HIV and developmental origins Research Translation
and trajectories of health from birth. Through Arts and Science

The Unit has supported the development of Public engagement activities were launched with the
an ongoing training programme to improve TB overall goal of disseminating information learnt on
diagnostics in paediatrics at district and clinic health determinants of healthy development in early life and
facilities in the Eastern Cape, including provision of receiving feedback from the Drakenstein Child Health
hands-on induced sputum training. Study participants and families on their experience of
the study. Many activities were organised including:
Capacity in data science has been built through the development of an animation video for the public;
international collaborations, and mentorship training two community engagement events that shared
data team members, students and investigators. Data study findings on lung health outcomes to families of
training was done at the REDCap Africa Symposium. children born preterm; and the creation of a pupil-
Expanded capacity for lung function testing has led playground mural reflecting positive messaging
been done through Australian collaborations with about health and our environment which involved
training of a respiratory technologist including novel collaboration between Langabuya school pupils,
techniques in lung function testing. Our unit has pupils from a Cape Town high and two local Cape
provided the first African infant and preschool lung Town community artists. A soccer field is currently
function testing. These have also supported further under construction at Langabuya School as a key
development of African capacity, with knowledge community engagement activity.

72 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25