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HIV, AIDS, TB AND
RESEARCH OTHER COMMUNICABLE
PROGRAMME 3
DISEASES
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME PROGRAMME STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
To conduct research on preventing HIV and • To increase the body of knowledge informing
related co-morbidities including TB and the development of the response to prevention
other infectious diseases, such as malaria. and curative interventions for HIV, AIDS, TB
It seeks to contribute to the national and and other communicable diseases.
international science system by testing • To increase the contribution to the national
TB drugs and malaria insecticides, carry health system by maintaining national health
out the AIDS Vaccine project through research facilities that provide services for the
coordinating development and test HIV prevention of HIV and related co-morbidities,
vaccines in South Africa, in partnership with including TB.
our funders and our regional counterparts. • To provide research grants to principal
investigators responsible for HIV research
in line with European and Developing
UNITS THAT CONSTITUTE THIS PROGRAMME Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
TESA mandate, provide financial support to
1. Antibody Immunity Research Unit (ERU) researchers within neighbouring countries for
training in laboratory and research techniques,
2. Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial utilising funds from sponsors and Unit savings.
Resistance Research Unit (ERU)
• To provide leadership and coordinate activities
3. Centre for Tuberculosis Research Unit (IRU) for training and development of young
4. HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research scientists and employees at different levels
Unit (IRU) and to work towards retention of critical skills
and talent management thereof.
5. HIV-TB Pathogens and Treatment Research
Unit (ERU) • To ensure proper training of clinical, laboratory
and other research staff, and communities in
6. Intersection of Non-Communicable Disease and around the research sites.
and Infectious Disease Research Unit (ERU)
• To increase the body of scientific knowledge
7. Malaria Research Group (IRU) through research translation into products,
8. Office of AIDS and TB Research (IRU) patents, papers, policy practice and health
promotion (including to the public) by
9. Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Analytics organising meetings, seminars, workshops and
Research Unit (ERU) conferences.
• To design and construct the most appropriate
and promising HIV candidate vaccines for
southern Africa and to increase the number of
interventions developed for TB and HIV.
• To increase the body of scientific evidence
that relates to testing and evaluating medical
equipment and devices that are developed
for the prevention of HIV and related co-
morbidities.
78 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25
