Previous Press Releases

2022

January 23, 2022
COVID-19 Vaccination is vital for Women’s Health
January 10, 2022
Preliminary findings from studies in South Africa indicate that omicron has a much higher rate of asymptomatic ‘carriage’ than other variants of concern

2021

December 23, 2021
SAMRC’S wastewater surveillance team detects declining concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the majority of wastewater treatment plants across their programme
December 17, 2021
SAMRC’s Wastewater Surveillance Team warns of rapidly rising concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater in Rural Areas
December 10, 2021
Omicron variant detected in wastewater samples collected in the City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay
December 8, 2021
SAHPRA approves affordable, locally developed COVID-19 antigen test
December 8, 2021
Access to EVDS Health Data Significant for Evaluating Vaccine Efficacy
December 6, 2021
Response: State researchers can’t access vaccination data - and that’s a huge problem
December 1, 2021
SAMRC PrEPVacc HIV Prevention Vaccine clinical trial in full swing
November 26, 2021
SAMRC confirms rapidly rising concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA fragments in wastewater in Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane
November 25, 2021
Empirical data suggests average life expectancy in South Africa declined by only 0.6 of a year in 2020
November 19, 2021
Rising Volatility in Levels Of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Fragments in SAMRC Wastewater Surveillance Programme is Flagged
November 15, 2021
The COVID-19 era, a threat to rotavirus immunization in Africa
November 8, 2021
Sisonke Booster Study for health workers starting at selected vaccination sites from tomorrow 9 November 2021
October 29, 2021
South African Medical Research Council and National Department of Health announce Sisonke 2 or the Sisonke boost study for health workers
October 25, 2021
Action to curb lead paint hazards in South Africa
October 21, 2021
Maintaining the momentum for rotavirus immunization in Africa
September 23, 2021
New Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution
September 15, 2021
Call for Nominations: SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards 2021
September 1, 2021
Experimental HIV vaccine not effective in preventing HIV acquisition no safety concerns identified
August 24, 2021
Research shows that female sex workers are exposed to extremely high levels of violence
July 30, 2021
New consortium working to boost vaccine production in South Africa
July 27, 2021
SAMRC receives a donation of 100 000 rapid antibody test kits to boost local COVID-19 research and development
July 9, 2021
Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Project aims to vaccinate the elderly at social grant pay-points
July 6, 2021
COVID-19 Delta variant detected by SAMRC Wastewater Surveillance & Research Programme
July 3, 2021
New study looks at the effects of alcohol restrictions and the curfew on the number of unnatural deaths in South Africa
July 2, 2021
SAMRC contributes to global clinical trial reporting guidelines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
July 1, 2021
Vast majority of breakthrough infections in vaccinated health workers are mild
June 24, 2021
Statement on threats levelled at SA Health Products Regulatory Authority
June 24, 2021
South Africa establishes a world-class consortium to create the first technology transfer hub for Covid-19 vaccines in Africa
June 4, 2021
A novel 6-month treatment regimen for multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB): newly released findings of the NExT study
June 3, 2021
SAMRC launches new interactive public dashboard to share information on levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
May 25, 2021
South Africa’s Olympic, Para-Olympic Team and other elite athletes to be vaccinated through Sisonke ahead of International Sporting Events including the Tokyo Games
May 13, 2021
More Healthcare Workers to be vaccinated under Phase1b of the vaccine roll out
May 7, 2021
Calling all health personnel to come forward for enrolment in the last week of the Sisonke Phase 3 b study
April 28, 2021
SAMRC former President and CEO appointed to the newly formed World Health Organization (WHO) Science Council
April 26, 2021
The Sisonke Phase 3 b study resumes on Wednesday 28 April 2021
April 20, 2021
Update on Sisonke Phase 3b study pause and response to queries regarding antibody testing post vaccination
April 16, 2021
Update on Sisonke Phase 3 b study temporary pause and review of extremely rare clotting events in the United States
April 15, 2021
New Technology Innovation Cluster Program to strengthen South Africa’s medical devices and diagnostics innovation industry
April 13, 2021
Sisonke Phase 3 b study temporarily paused until US FDA reviews 6 cases of rare clotting disorder in vaccine recipients
April 7, 2021
South Africa strengthens its fight against COVID-19 through international solidarity and the BRICS cooperation
March 31, 2021
Sisonke study successfully vaccinates more than 250 000 health workers before the third wave
March 18, 2021
More than 10 percent of the health care workers successfully vaccinated through the Sisonke Study
March 16, 2021
SAMRC to implement South Africa’s First Global Tobacco Adult Survey (GATS)
March 9, 2021
New Cochrane Review shows chloroquine doesn’t help people with COVID-19
March 4, 2021
SAMRC to honour scientific excellence amidst the Covid-19 pandemic
February 22, 2021
The First South African National TB Prevalence Survey gives a clearer picture of the epidemic
February 17, 2021
South Africa commences early access vaccine rollout to Healthcare Workers - Sisonke! Let’s work together to protect our Healthcare Workers
January 28, 2021
Special report: Over 125,000 excess deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic
January 19, 2021
SAMRC partners with global healthcare companies for research on genetic diversity in Africa

2020

December 1, 2020
SAMRC research shows that rape survivors are at greater risk of HIV infection for years to come
November 17, 2020
South African Medical Research Council launches a wastewater-based early warning system for Covid-19
November 9, 2020
Women Scientists lead the South African leg of the Phase 3 Janssen Efficacy COVID-19 vaccine trial
November 4, 2020
SAMRC releases first national cause-of-death validation project report
October 26, 2020
SAMRC - a part of new global health research to reduce the impact of COVID-19
October 22, 2020
International research collaboration to tackle antimicrobial resistance by tapping into South Africa’s rich biodiversity
August 31, 2020
Call for Nominations: SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards 2020
August 28, 2020
SAMRC welcomes the Positive Opinion adopted by the European Medicines Agency on the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring to reduce HIV risk among women
August 21, 2020
Confronting the Pernicious Reality of Racism in Science
August 12, 2020
SAMRC: Hopeful signs of turning point in COVID-19 epidemic
July 30, 2020
The Merits and Benefits of Studying Excess Deaths
July 22, 2020
Weekly Deaths suggests higher numbers of COVID-19 deaths
July 8, 2020
Former SAMRC President and leading South African immunologist appointed to US’ top Covid-19 vaccine trial body
June 26, 2020
SAMRC and DSI invest R10 million into the first Covid-19 vaccine trial in South Africa
June 4, 2020
Building South Africa’s knowledge economy through research capacity development
May 26, 2020
Statement from Professor Glenda Gray
May 26, 2020
Media statement from the SAMRC Board
May 22, 2020
South African Medical Research Council Champions Research for Health Amidst COVID-19
May 20, 2020
SAMRC’S Emerging Science Leaders Harvest Live Coronavirus
May 18, 2020
PHA4GE – A Global Scientific Alliance Uniting Genomics & Public Health
May 12, 2020
Evidence on digital communications for remote healthcare delivery in a post-COVID 19 world
May 7, 2020
South African Population Research Infrastructure Network launches two new urban nodes to expand to a nationwide network and improve response to COVID-19 and other epidemics
April 1, 2020
The SAMRC mourns the loss of eminent scientist Prof Gita Ramjee
March 24, 2020
Mobilising resources against the COVID-19 pandemic
March 10, 2020
Enhancing health research and surveillance against COVID-19 in South Africa
March 10, 2020
SAMRC documentary uncovers the relationship between gender or gender (in)equality and violence
March 4, 2020
The South African Medical Research Council and Wits University join forces in a new study to intervene early to tackle childhood obesity
February 3, 2020
One of the HIV vaccine efficacy studies is stopped due to non-efficacy

2019

December 1, 2019
Leading South African Immunologist and public health advocate recognised for championing evidence based science
November 20, 2019
Two-day National Dialogue to focus on Universal Health Coverage
November 7, 2019
SAMRC to honour distinguished scientists at a 50th Gala Event
November 4, 2019
Response to the editorial feature: Decolonise Plan S, South African academics hear
November 1, 2019
Response to allegations of victimization, intimidation and harassment at the SAMRC
October 21, 2019
SAMRC - making open access to research publications a reality
October 18, 2019
World leaders in sexual violence prevention gather to advance research on violence against women (VAW) in low and middle-income countries
October 17, 2019
SAMRC supports global ban on lead in paint
October 7, 2019
A hope for kidney transplants for people living with HIV
September 19, 2019
Thai HIV vaccine shows promising results for South Africans
September 17, 2019
Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases agencies commit USD 50 million to scaling up research in the fight against chronic diseases
September 10, 2019
SAMRC to commence the third National Femicide Study
July 30, 2019
Health Department Launches the National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan 2019-2023
July 24, 2019
First- High through-put-genomics sequencing centre in Africa to decode genes
July 22, 2019
Renewed impetus to prevent and control diarrheal diseases in African children
July 2, 2019
Global Science Academies take a stand against air pollution
June 12, 2019
Call for nominations: SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards
June 11, 2019
One Innovation, One Vision and South-South Collaboration To Advance Health Innovation
June 6, 2019
Professor Jeffrey Mphahlele, SAMRC’s VP for Research Appointed Vice-Chair of EDCTP
April 30, 2019
NDoH and PHEF celebrate their investment in human resources for health in honour of the late Prof Bongani Mayosi
April 18, 2019
SAPRIN releases its first population dataset to track South Africans' health and wellbeing
April 2, 2019
Professor Glenda Gray appointed for a second term at the SAMRC
February 5, 2019
SAMRC invests over R20 million in research capacity development

2018

December 7, 2018
New population research centre to be launched at the University of Limpopo
December 1, 2018
World AIDS Day: Reflecting on our commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS
November 22, 2018
SAMRC injects R45 million per annum to a joint programme with the US-NIH for biomedical research
November 14, 2018
Understanding Violence against Women and Girls with Disabilities
October 29, 2018
A silent killer: Why South Africa’s health could crumble under pressure from non-communicable diseases
October 25, 2018
Researchers in primary healthcare revisit the Alma Ata Declaration
October 22, 2018
SAMRC’s scientific excellence recognized by the NRF
September 28, 2018
Professor Gita Ramjee receives prestigious scientific award
September 26, 2018
Paying it forward in Evidence Informed Decision Making
September 19, 2018
Outcomes of a systematic review result in the implementation of condom availability programmes in schools in the United States of America
September 18, 2018
National Cochrane Library licence renewed
September 3, 2018
South Africa’s top health researchers honoured for contributions to public health
August 17, 2018
Public-private partnership initiative shows its commitment to enhancing the development of the next generation of scientists
August 16, 2018
Study shows children with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be treated
August 13, 2018
DST-NRF-SAMRC SARChI Research Chair in Biostatistics announced
August 1, 2018
SAMRC invests in a new Extramural Research Unit to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance
July 31, 2018
The SAMRC mourns the loss of leading Cardiologist Professor Bongani Mayosi
July 23, 2018
SAMRC scientists share progress on science transformation projects
July 17, 2018
National Research Foundation recognises SAMRC Mid-Career scientist
June 29, 2018
BRICS TB Research Network to accelerate research and innovation through collaboration across the BRICS countries
May 3, 2018
Reminder: Call for Nominations: SAMRC scientific Merit Awards 2018
April 26, 2018
Investing in drug development strategies to curb antimicrobial resistance
April 19, 2018
National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey moves into the Eastern Cape
April 13, 2018
Students and Academics to lead the global March for Science in Durban
March 23, 2018
FIND and SAMRC team up to tackle childhood TB diagnosis
March 22, 2018
Call for Nominations Now Open: SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards
March 13, 2018
60% of adverse drug reactions are caused by herbal medicines
March 9, 2018
Novel process for a rooibos extract to optimise the healing effect
February 26, 2018
Study confirms sexual violence as a common feature in the murders of women and children
February 14, 2018
Genomics centre in Cape Town to decode genes
February 5, 2018
National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey underway
February 2, 2018
Making better use of qualitative evidence in decision making
January 29, 2018
Anti-Microbial Resistance + Africa + Diagnostics: Global leaders converge from across Africa to counter AMR and to help the global fight

2017

December 15, 2017
Community based maternal newborn care can be delivered at less than $1 per person say health economists
December 13, 2017
Vulnerable groups exposed to elevated heat in waiting rooms
December 12, 2017
African genetic diversity to unlock disease susceptibility
November 30, 2017
Public-private partnership begins HIV vaccine clinical trial in Sub-Saharan Africa
November 27, 2017
Trying working environments strain quality of health care
November 22, 2017
Designing inclusive interventions for change
November 7, 2017
Collaboration underscores malaria agenda
November 1, 2017
SAPRIN: evidence-base data to inform sustainable solutions
October 3, 2017
Accountable medical research council engages Standing Committee on Health
September 14, 2017
Using evidence to inform global health workforce policies: Four Cochrane overviews published today show the effectiveness of health system interventions
September 13, 2017
SAMRC showcases responsive medical research and innovation
September 13, 2017
Rio, Brazil: A convergence to place sexual violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse & maltreatment at the heart of resolve
September 4, 2017
Antibiotics: the shift from "commercial product" to "emergency treatment"
August 8, 2017
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces multifaceted challenge of infectious diseases & diseases of poverty
August 7, 2017
A lifetime of real stories liberated in new book on female academics
August 6, 2017
SAMRC President & CEO honoured with "Lifetime Achiever award"
June 15, 2017
Responsive medical research in the fight against HIV/AIDS
June 9, 2017
SAMRC software provides affordable access to ethical biobanking activities.
June 5, 2017
Obesity and diabetes in Africa on the rise.
June 1, 2017
National one-click access to evidence-based Cochrane reviews: increasing healthcare benefit and reducing harms and costs.
May 29, 2017
Health literacy lessons help children make sense of health claims, study finds. (The Lancet Journal press)
May 25, 2017
Public - Private partnership promises scientific capacity development and job opportunities
May 16, 2017
Reinstated South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS) reveals limited improvement in the state of country's health
May 8, 2017
SAMRC delivers amidst constricting economic climate
April 25, 2017
Cardiovascular disease and cancers account for most deaths in the Western Cape
April 21, 2017
Leading Scientists unite in a March for Science in Durban
April 20, 2017
South African medical research pioneer listed as 1 of the 100 most influential people in the world
April 3, 2017
Pioneering research and data management in Africa: a dual first.
March 31, 2017
SAMRC President expands country's research & development influence globally.
March 24, 2017
Global rise of multidrug resistant tuberculosis threatens to derail decades of progress. (Issued by The Lancet Respiratory Medicine)
March 22, 2017
First lead exposure study puts poorly designed shooting ranges under fire
March 9, 2017
Discovery of new gene that causes sudden death in adolescents.
March 8, 2017
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Scientific Merit Awards 2017
February 28, 2017
Trial Studying HIV-Related Cardiovascular Disease Arrives in South Africa
February 9, 2017
Novel public-private collaboration tackles what is expected to become the most common cause of death in Africa.
January 24, 2017
R10 million to support innovative health technologies in maternal and neonatal care across Africa.
January 23, 2017
DNA sequencing used to track transmission of incurable TB in South Africa.
January 20, 2017
DNA-based detection test improves battle strategy against TB by finding undiagnosed cases in the community

2016

November 30, 2016
World's first new HIV vaccine efficacy study in seven years gathers pace
November 29, 2016
2nd National Burden of Disease Study reveals noteworthy changes in mortality trends for South Africa
November 24, 2016
GACD- funds Project to provide evidence on the economic burdens of tobacco use in South Africa
November 22, 2016
SAMRC announces new board
November 17, 2016
Saving lives at birth through innovation
October 13, 2016
Country's leading researchers recognised for remarkable efforts in medical research
September 12, 2016
Tuberculosis in Rhinoceros: Is this an under recognised threat?
September 5, 2016
Violence in SA - towards prevention
August 22, 2016
2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey Underway
July 28, 2016
SAMRC / FORTE Joint Research Projects Announced
July 21, 2016
SAMRC revives HIV vaccine trial site in the Eastern Cape
July 19, 2016
Early mother-to-child transmission of HIV stats plunge
June 23, 2016
Investment in biomedical research sustained
June 21, 2016
More research needed on whether incentives improve TB detection and therapy
June 2, 2016
SAMRC showcases advances in and seeks new investment opportunities in biomedical research at 2016 BIO International Convention
June 2, 2016
SMS text message information system shows ability to improve adherence to care in chronic patients
May 30, 2016
Call for Nominations to serve on the Board of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
May 23, 2016
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) co-hosts International Community Psychology Conference
May 19, 2016
Large-Scale HIV Vaccine Trial to Launch in South Africa. NIH-Funded Study Will Test Safety, Efficacy of Vaccine Regimen
April 29, 2016
Research reveals that more than 1 young child is killed per day in South Africa
April 22, 2016
Research shows disparity between Child Support Grant and child health in South Africa
March 1, 2016
South African Medical Research Council Scientific Merit Awards 2016
February 22, 2016
Monthly vaginal ring is safe and protects women from HIV - results from two large scale trials among women in Africa
February 18, 2016
SAMRC calls for gender equality in South African homes
February 16, 2016
A rapid, accurate and cost-effective innovation to test HIV drug resistance