External Review
The mandate of the SAMRC is legislated in terms of the Medical Research Act, 1991 (Act No. 58 of 1991) (“the SAMRC Act”). The objects of the SAMRC are, through research, development and technology transfer, to promote the improvement of the health and quality of life of the population of the Republic, and to perform such functions as maybe assigned to by or under the SAMRC Act.
Final report of the panel for the 2014 Review of the South African Medical Research Council
The South African Medical Research Council is a relatively small organisation with a small budget within the overall context of both local and global health research funding, yet its standing and influence both nationally and internationally are disproportionate to this. It is a hifhly respected organisation and has been successful in leveraging additional resources from a range of mostly international donors. The organisation is clearly a national asset and our aim as a review panel was to deepen our understanding of the MRC, its strengths and challenges, and its position within the overall health science system. In South Africa, as well as make recommendations for strengthening this role.