SA Medical Research Council

13/03/2026

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) are pleased to invite you to the MeDDIC Stakeholder Forum 2026.

This Forum marks the culmination of the first phase of the Medical Device and Diagnostics Innovation Cluster (MeDDIC) and will showcase the progress made within the sector to date. It will also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on where the sector currently stands and to engage on the way forward, particularly in relation to the implementation of the Medical Devices and Diagnostics Masterplan, with a focus on consolidating the progress achieved thus far.

View the Registration and Agenda Information - https://www.samrc.ac.za/event/meddic-stakeholder-forum-2026

13/03/2026

The SAMRC is pleased to congratulate Victoria Cole, Scientific Officer in the Genomics Platform, on receiving the Best Oral Presentation Award at the recent AMR Genomic Surveillance Symposium organised by SAGE-SA.

Victoria's work uses advanced genomic tools, including next-generation sequencing, to better detect and track antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

Her presentation shared preliminary findings on antimicrobial resistance surveillance in a rural livestock farming community based in the Eastern Cape.

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

World Kidney Day Awareness

12/03/2026

On this episode of Sharing Our Science, we talking all about World Kidney Day. We speak to Specialist Scientist at the SAMRC’s Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, Dr Cindy George. She reminds us that protecting your kidneys starts with prevention, early detection and strengthening care for those most at risk, highlighting the importance of ‘Knowing your numbers, understanding your risk and taking action for better kidney health’.
Please share this information with your loved ones.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/03/2026

The President and CEO of the SAMRC, Ntobeko Ntusi, joins Garry Aslanyan on the latest podcast episode of Global Health Matters.

Produced by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), a co-sponsored initiative by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP, the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO).

In this conversation, Prof Ntusi offers perspective on how global health can recalibrate power, advance equity, and empower African-led research initiatives.
A must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, and shaping the future of global health.

To listen, click here: https://tinyurl.com/GHM-E62
To watch, click here: https://youtu.be/FJeDWk4A-8I

05/03/2026

The SAMRC and TIA invite you to attend the MeDDIC Stakeholder Forum 2026. A strategic engagement bringing together key stakeholders from across South Africa’s medical device and diagnostics ecosystem.

Registration information - https://www.samrc.ac.za/event/meddic-stakeholder-forum-2026

04/03/2026

SAMRC strengthens African drug discovery and supports women-led research leadership

Through the South African Medical Research Council’s Grand Challenges South Africa programme, supported by baseline funding allocated from the National Department of Health - South Africa, the SAMRC has committed R6 million to support two early-stage drug discovery research platforms under the Grand Challenges African Drug Discovery Accelerator (GC ADDA).

The GC ADDA is a pan-African collaborative drug discovery initiative coordinated by the H3D Foundation and supported by partners including Grand Challenges Africa, the Gates Foundation, and LifeArc. GC ADDA is focused on strengthening discovery and translational research capacity and accelerating the development of innovative solutions to address unmet medical needs across Africa. Since 2013, SAMRC’s Grand Challenges South Africa programme has funded South African scientists to catalyze innovative research. It is part of the global Grand Challenges network, which includes science and innovation initiatives on four continents.
https://www.samrc.ac.za/press-releases/samrc-strengthens-african-drug-discovery-and-supports-women-led-research-leadership

26/02/2026

Our Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform recently hosted a delegation from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University’s School of Science and Technology for a strategic engagement focused on strengthening research partnership and capacity development.

Researchers from both institutions presented their current projects, identified areas of scientific alignment, and explored opportunities for joint initiatives in biomedical research and innovation.

Such engagements are essential to advancing locally relevant research, building sustainable scientific capacity, and accelerating health innovation in South Africa.

We look forward to translating these discussions into impactful partnerships.

23/02/2026

Introducing SOS, Sharing Our Science series, where we share our research that creates impact that improve the health of our nation. In this episode, we speak to Professor Liesl Zühlke, Vice-President: Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio at the SAMRC, about her groundbreaking work in paediatric cardiology and the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We also hear all about what we can do healthier this

Which healthy habits will you be aiming for? Let us know.

You are encouraged to please share with your loved ones.

20/02/2026

This Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, we feature a systemic review from the Cochrane Library on Sporting Organisation Interventions to promote healthier behaviours and improve health outcomes. Supporting organisation interventions can be useful to increase physical activity and may also increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables. It is worth to mention that these studies were conducted in high-income countries. With South Africa being a sport-loving nation, it could be useful to explore the development of similar interventions relevant to our context.

This Plain-Language Summary was brought to you by Cochrane South Africa, providing trusted Evidence for better decisions." - https://www.samrc.ac.za/evidence-in-plain-language/promoting-healthy-behaviour-and-improving-health-outcomes-through