Page 95 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

HEALTH SYSTEMS

STRENGTHENING RESEARCH PROGRAMME 4

PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

To contribute to health systems strengthening by undertaking systematic reviews, health
policy and health systems research to provide evidence for policymakers, stakeholders
and researchers seeking to address today’s most pressing health challenges. The
programme aims to take advantage of information and technology by exploring and
expanding the role of eHealth (health informatics, digital health, tile health, telemedicine,
eLearning and mobile health) in strengthening health systems..

UNITS THAT CONSTITUTE THIS PROGRAMME

1 Biostatistics Research Unit (IRU) 4 Health Services to Systems Research Unit (ERU)

2 Burden of Disease Research Unit (IRU) 5 Health Systems Research Unit (IRU)

3 Cochrane South Africa (IRU)

PROGRAMME STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• To contribute towards the evidence base for national, ensure that research results are translated into
regional and international health-care decision making policy, practice, cost-effective products and health
by conducting high-quality systematic reviews, and promotion.
health systems and health policy research reviews to • To develop and enhance health information systems
improve health systems effectiveness. and surveillance through systematic evaluation and
• To strengthen research and development through identification of processes for improvement.
training and mentoring postgraduate students (MSc, • To provide statistical analysis to ensure scientific
PhD, Postdoctoral Fellows) in eHealth, health policy,
health systems research and biostatistics. validity, relevance and efficiency of health systems
• To contribute to capacity development and training in interventions and/or service delivery models, and
the use and conduct of systematic reviews, and support engage in health systems strengthening activities.
of clinical trial registration for the African region. • To carry out bio-statistical support training projects to
• To synthesise evidence, optimise information and assist SAMRC researchers and postgraduate students
knowledge flow through ICT and other means to within the SAMRC.

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24 93