Page 84 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Building Capacity Through Research Translation
Training, Mentorship, and Support Through Arts and Science
There have been several training initiatives during The Unit's community engagement is facilitated
the reporting period. Two clinicians have been via a community advisory board and setup through
pursuing their PhD with support provided by the a community liaison officer. This has allowed us to
EMU. Dr Ali Esmail has recently completed his PhD provide feedback at community forums in areas
and was also promoted to Associate Professor. where we conduct research including districts such
Dr Suzette Oelofse has completed recruitment on as Gugulethu, Klipfontein and Mitchells Plain. Our
the UFO study and is currently in the data analysis work is explained in lay terms and feedback from
phase of her project (PhD submission in December the community is encouraged at these forums to
2025). Ms Olwethu Matta is currently pursuing her ensure individuals remain engaged and interested.
Honours degree in clinical pharmacology (with This ensures continued participation in studies and
a bursary provided by EMU funding); she has helps to increase awareness and promote a sense of
completed the coursework component and is doing contribution towards improving healthcare in these
her Honours Project. communities.

We have also been hosting an HSRC intern, We also engage and give back to the communities
Ms Nomaphelo Ketye, who has gained extensive via Free of TB, a not-for-profit charitable organisation
experience including, GCP and GCLP training, setup by Prof Dheda. Free of TB provides support to
proficiency in several laboratory techniques and is TB patients in the community with a specific focus
involved in the lab component of several clinical on drug-resistant TB patients in the Western Cape.
trials. Furthermore, several of our clinical research
staff such as research nurses and community Some of these activities include:
healthcare workers, who are involved in sponsor- (i) World TB Day events where our research is
driven clinical trials, have undergone intensive highlighted to patients and the public
training including GCP document training, informed
consent form training, CPR training and research (ii) provision of food parcels to patients
skills development.
(iii) Organising transport for patients who are
discharged back to their homes
Navigating the Impact of US
Executive Orders on Funding (iv) assisting patients with obtaining IDs and social
grants.
While the EMU does not currently hold any grants
from US governmental funding agencies, there Two of the major ongoing projects at Brooklyn Chest
is a great deal of uncertainty around a few US Hospital include the building of a library/reading
government funding applications that we have nook at the paediatric ward and a recreational
submitted. Furthermore, the executive order has facility for adult patients. These will assist in
reduced the pool of available international funding reducing boredom during long hospital stays and
which will likely result in increased competition for prevent substance abuse and antisocial behaviour.
remaining sources of funding. This will significantly The interior of both structures will be decorated by
slow down research into diseases of poverty such as an interior designer with artwork that is appealing to
TB and HIV. the patients and staff.

82 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25