Clinical trials are a cornerstone of modern healthcare. When conducted rigorously and ethically, they generate evidence that improves clinical practice, informs health policy, and ultimately strengthens trust between health systems, communities, and patients. At their best, clinical trials are not separate from care but embedded within, advancing the idea that research is care, and that high-quality evidence generation is essential to better health outcomes and underpins resilient health systems
The SAMRC is pleased to highlight a new core training resource for anyone interested in improving the quality of evidence to support improvements in health, of patients, of communities, and of populations.
On the rolling hills of Limpopo, where knowledge meets community and science meets purpose. A new chapter in global health was written with the launch of the Institute for Pathogen and Global Health (IPGH) at the University of Venda in October 2025.
It is with deep sadness that the SAMRC acknowledges the passing of Professor Dan Stein, an esteemed scientist, colleague, and leader in the field of mental health research. Prof. Stein served the SAMRC with distinction as Extramural Unit Director of the SAMRC/UCT Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders Research Unit and previously as Extramural Unit Director of the SAMRC/UCT Anxiety and Stress Disorders Research Unit.
The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Cochrane South Africa (CSA) hosted a high-level delegation from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Science and Innovation Directorate, for a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening evidence synthesis, knowledge translation, and policy-informed decision-making across the continent.