Non-communicable diseases contribute significantly to the disease burden within South Africa. In the most unequal of societies in the world, poverty and socio-economic disparity are amongst the greatest obstacles facing South Africans, impacting heavily on health care.

While South Africa remains severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is also experiencing an upsurge in gender-based violence (GBV). Even so, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) continues to reiterate its indelible mark in the country’s ongoing fight against the scourge of GBV.

Dr Caradee Wright and Ms. Bianca Wernecke from the SAMRC’s Environment and Health Research Unit (EHRU) are contributing authors in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s First Synthesis Report.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) last year introduced a sewage-based early warning system for the coronavirus in some parts of the country.

Professor Glenda Gray almost single-handedly secured 500 000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine for South African healthcare workers. A fearless advocate for doing what is right above all else, Gray explains why she stands on principle.