Strategic
plan, 2005 - 2010
Introduction
The mandate of the MRC, by Act of Parliament (Act 58, 1991), is the following:
'The objects of the MRC 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 may be assigned to the MRC by or under this Act'.
The MRC Strategic Plan 2005 - 2010 describes exactly how the MRC will deliver on this mandate by promoting and conducting relevant and responsive health research to improve the health and quality of life of the nation.
Health research is the primary instrument by which we seek to gain a better understanding of our bodies and minds and their interaction with the environment, as well discovering methods by which we can preserve and promote our physical, mental and spiritual health. This, in turn, provides a basis upon which we can develop interventions to prevent or cure disease.
Health research is the core business of the MRC. This research must be validated and of high quality if it is to impact on the health of South Africans. The MRC has systems of peer review and audit that ensure such high standards are met. MRC research, development and technology transfer encompass all spheres of knowledge generation that impact on health and quality of life, from basic to applied research. Following international best practice, all the broad disciplines of human health research are within the remit of the MRC: laboratory, clinical, public health, policy and implementation. This work is usually done in an integrated, multidisciplinary fashion. Often, a participatory approach is used in setting the research agenda, in performing and analysing the research, and in disseminating the research results.
The portfolio of MRC research must also address the health and development priorities of South Africa as defined by the National Health Research Committee (NHRC), set up under the National Health Act, to advise the Minister of Health on health research priorities for South Africa. The MRC research priorities are agreed upon annually in consultation with the Minister of Health.
Furthermore, the MRC vision of 'building a healthy nation through research' can only be achieved if research results are translated into policy, practice, health promotion and products.
The principal stakeholder of the MRC is the National Department of Health (NDOH), not only because the NDOH provides the MRC baseline budget but also because the NDOH is the primary agent responsible for the health of the people of South Africa. Health is a human right in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The responsibilities of the MRC, as they impact upon health and quality of life, are therefore profound.
The Department of Science & Technology has oversight of all research and development in South Africa, and is therefore an important stakeholder and key enabler for the MRC to deliver on its mandate as set out in Act 58 of 1991.
The MRC Strategic Plan is informed by the following:
- The MRC's vision, mission, values and culture.
- The MRC's research challenges and opportunities.
- National health priorities.
- The MRC's shared values and ethics.
- The MRC's key performance indicators.
The work of the MRC is detailed in its annual Business Plan, derived from the Corporate Strategic Plan. The performance of the MRC is evaluated annually by the NDOH through the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Report, which is also submitted to the Department of Science & Technology to establish the MRC's performance within the broader National System of Innovation.
As a statutory council with responsibility for health research, the MRC reports to its primary shareholder through its Annual Report, which is submitted to the Minister of Health to be tabled in Parliament each year.
Key Strategic Imperatives
The MRC Strategic Plan 2005 - 2010 takes cognisance of a number of key strategic imperatives that relate to the health and development needs of South Africa and Africa:
- The MRC's continued investment in high-quality, priority-driven research and training across all areas of health research.
- Human resource development and retention: Recognising that people are its prime resource and asset, the MRC will invest in people and embark on systematic and conscious human resource and staff development programmes across a range of disciplines.
- Transformation and development: Mindful of the systematic exclusion in the past of black Africans in South Africa, and, to a certain extent, women from science and technology - and of the dire need for South Africa to dramatically expand its human resource base in science and technology in order to achieve its economic growth and development targets - the MRC is committed to implementing a bold, ambitious transformation and development plan; particularly in terms of the recruitment, training and retention of young, black and women scientists at doctoral and postdoctoral levels.
- Capital expenditure: Particularly for laboratory equipment, this needs to be expanded in the MRC units as the dearth of such equipment is reaching crisis point.
- Forging and nurturing strategic partnerships: Existing partnerships with Government, universities, funders and communities will be strengthened, while new multi-sectoral partnerships and consortia will be developed to strengthen research across all sectors.
- Communication with key strategic partnerships: Communication initiatives will be undertaken to further enhance the image of the MRC and to position the MRC as a relevant, innovative, caring and responsive research organisation.
- Performance management: These systems are being continuously reviewed in order to augment and reward research excellence, and to implement good management practices. This is key to enhancing innovation and creativity within the organisation.
- The promotion of a shared value system and ethics: The MRC will continue to grow and develop as an African research council that is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural in nature and that serves Africa's health needs and aspirations. Implementation of the values system of the MRC will involve changing the organisational culture.
- Translation of research, knowledge management, and biotechnology: Knowledge and biotechnology products from MRC research will be utilised to develop interventions for improving and maintaining the health of South Africans. This will involve commercialisation of intellectual property through the 'spinning out' of biotechnology companies.
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