south african medical research councillatest news & developments
Futile exercise: The writer argues that even if higher education were to digitalise their systems, it would still not help contain the influx of first year students at the too few institutions, including 26 universities. Photo: Supplied

Digitisation not panacea for varsity space

Any talk about scaling up digitalisation of higher education as a solution to the large demand for access to the university must fiercely confront the structural challenges that are deeply concerning

  • Eyaaz
7 min read
High consumption of sugary drinks is associated with risks such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. (Toby Talbot/Associated Press)

Our advertising regulator is funded by the food and beverage industry. Should it be allowed to block public health messaging?

A pending court complaint alleges bias after the regulator voted to block radio advertisements about the dangers of sugar

  • Eyaaz
13 min read
To end Aids by 2043, the South African government says it could get a group of local pharmaceutical companies to make generic shots of lenacapavir from 2027 onwards. There is, however, a hitch. None of the companies that will be involved have a licence to make the jab. (Julia Koblitz/ Unsplash)

SA wants to make its own six-monthly HIV prevention jabs by 2027. But there’s a hitch

None of the companies that will be involved have a licence from the inventor of Lenacapavir, Gilead Sciences, to make the jab

  • Eyaaz
9 min read
Demanding change: Women across South Africa are stepping back from work on Friday to draw attention to the country’s rising levels of gender-based violence. This comes as heads of state, ministers and delegations arrive in South Africa for the G20 summit. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

National shutdown to put spotlight on gender violence on eve of G20 summit

Advocacy group Women for Change argues that South Africa ‘cannot host the world’s most powerful leaders while a woman is killed every two-and-a-half hours’

  • Eyaaz
6 min read

Southern Africa through the South African Medical Research Council marks a decade of malaria research and collaboration

As Southern Africa works toward the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating malaria by 2030, the region continues to face major challenges, including cross-border transmission, limited resources, and insecticide resistance. However, amid these difficulties, a significant milestone will be celebrated this month: the 10th annual Southern Africa Malaria Research Conference. The event, hosted by the […]

  • Shaun Goosen
2 min read
Doctors will need to pay attention not only to a patient’s physical health but also the person’s emotional, social and psychospiritual aspects.

National Health Insurance system will mean little if we don’t offer the right kind of care

Although the NHI offers much-needed reform, it must find a new way to care for patients – an approach that treats people emotionally, physically, socially, psychologically and spiritually

5 min read
South Africa must treat the conditions that breed diabetes, including by making healthy food affordable. Photo: File

Diabetes in South Africa: the need for evidence-based science and decisive leadership

Diabetes has become one of South Africa’s most pressing public health issues. We desperately need evidence-based science and decisive leadership to address this mounting crisis

4 min read
Wonder tree: The goal of the trial is to determine whether baobab fruit powder can improve gut integrity, lower inflammation, and positively impact blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Can baobab fruit powder improve gut and heart health in people with obesity?

SAMRC trial will help to expand knowledge on the matter

  • Derek Davey
3 min read
Vaccines are not just medicine. They are mirrors. They show us who we are, what we value and whose lives we’re willing to protect.

The role of qualitative research in addressing vaccine hesitancy: lessons for public health in South Africa

Conducting qualitative research takes time and effort, but it interrogates essential contexts and meanings that shape our health and healthcare

  • Derek Davey
5 min read
Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, SAMRC President and CEO.

The state of health in South Africa: Reflections and future directions

While progress has been made in some sectors, there are critical gaps in the healthcare infrastructure

  • Derek Davey
4 min read
Preeclampsia is a rising threat to maternal and infant health. Urgent investment in genetic research and early detection could save thousands of lives

The case for developing alternative maternity care models in SA 

The development and implementation of new, hospital-based birthing centres with team-based maternity care models offer a promising solution

  • Derek Davey
4 min read

NRF Women in Leadership

These women are contributing to the advancement of the NRF’s mandate and driving its vision in service of a better society

  • Derek Davey
17 min read
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana did not announce a budget allocation to plug the gap created by the termination of USAid funding to HIV/Aids organisations (Photo by Luke Dray/Getty Images)

SA leads HIV/Aids vaccine discovery research team

USAID has pumped $45 million in grant funding to support the work of a consortium of top African scientists from eight countries

  • Eyaaz
3 min read