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THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL

RESEARCH COUNCIL

OUR MANDATE and practice and improve the quality and health status
of people in South Africa.
The mandate of the South African Medical Research
Council (SAMRC), in terms of the MRC Act 58, 1991 We are the largest local funder of health research,
(as amended), is to improve the health and quality of medical diagnostics, medical devices, and therapeutics.
life of South Africans. This is realised through research, We are pioneers in cutting-edge medical innovations,
development, and technology transfer. focusing on genomic research, the development of
novel treatment regimens, vaccine development,
WHO WE ARE diagnostic tools, and the development of new drugs
and devices.
The SAMRC was established in 1969 and is dedicated
to improving the health of people in South Africa Transformation remains an integral part of building
through research, innovation, development, and sustainable health research capacity in South Africa.
technology transfer. The scope of research includes Through Self-Initiated Research (SIR) grants, the Mid-
laboratory investigations, clinical research, and public Career Scientist programme, the Bongani Mayosi
health studies. National Health Scholars Programme, and other
programmes and platforms, the SAMRC will continue
We conduct research on South Africa’s quadruple to address gender, racial, institutional, and geographic
burden of disease: maternal, newborn, and child parity and strengthen our capacity to flourish in the
health, HIV/AIDS and TB, non-communicable diseases, 21st century. As a custodian of health research, the
and interpersonal violence. Our work is to acquire SAMRC is building a healthy nation through research
evidence-based information to inform health policy and innovation.

THE COMMUNITY ISSUE 3