Page 8 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

A NOTE FROM

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

PROFESSOR GLENDA E. GRAY

I am honoured to present my final Annual Report for the South African Medical Research
Council (SAMRC) for the 2023/24 fiscal year. At SAMRC, our focus is on conducting and
funding health research, innovation, capacity development and research translation.

Through the internal and external research units, This good performance has positive implications for
several collaborating centres, strategic projects public health in South Africa, as it reflects progress
and initiatives, including recipients of self-initiated towards addressing key health challenges and
research grants, SAMRC researchers are conducting advancing scientific knowledge in areas such as
research that is responsive to the burden of disease infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases,
in South Africa, Southern, Eastern and Western Africa. maternal and child health, and health systems
strengthening.
The SAMRC showed commendable performance
during the 2023/24 financial year, with most of our Some of the key highlights could be summarised as
planned deliverables achieved. This achievement follows: we enhanced our B-BBEE rating from level
underscores SAMRC's commitment to its mission 8 to level 5 and have plans for further improvement
and objectives and its ability to effectively execute in this area. An internal talent pool was utilised to fill
its strategic plans. all Deputy Director positions, aiming at nurturing the

The successful completion of the planned strategic SAMRC's senior leadership pipeline. An extension
activities indicates that SAMRC effectively utilised of the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships
its resources, including financial, human, and (SHIP) award from the Department of Science and
infrastructural, to carry out its core functions as Innovation has been secured. This programme has
mandated by the MRC Act 58, 1991 (as amended). been managed by SAMRC since 2013, supporting
These functions include research initiatives, capacity- approximately 50 innovation projects annually and
building programmes, community outreach efforts, the Department of Science and Innovation has
and policy advocacy campaigns aimed at improving pledged over R265 million to support SHIP until
public health outcomes in South Africa. 2025/26. The SAMRC received a substantial grant of

6 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24