South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) funds ‘Antimicrobial Resistance and Global Health Research’ at UNIVEN

Medicines that prevent the multiplication of germs are called antimicrobials. Antimicrobials have played and continue to play a substantial role in the promotion of global health, socio-economic development, and advancement of nations and civilization. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when a germ thrives in the presence of a medicine that previously inactivates or kills it. However, antimicrobials are losing their utility, resulting in increased disease burden and death due to infections by germs. The priority to manage AMR was affirmed by Heads of States and Governments, in the United Nations Generally Assembly in 2016, with a pledge for a coordinated approach to curb the spread of resistance to antimicrobials. 

It is against this background that the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has made a significant grant award for the establishment of an SAMRC extramural unit – Antimicrobial Resistance and Global Health Research – at the University of Venda (UNIVEN). This followed a successful evaluation outcome of a proposal led by Professor Pascal Bessong, Head of the HIV/AIDS & Global Health Research Programme at UNIVEN. The mandate of SAMRC is to ‘improve the health of the country’s population, through research, development and technology transfer, so that people can enjoy a better quality of life.’ Through this award, UNIVEN will support the strategic objectives of SAMRC in the domain of antimicrobial resistance.