Posted on June 26, 2024
The School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) in the Faculty of Health sciences at the University of Pretoria hosted its second Research Day on 26 June 2024 with great enthusiasm and insightful discussions. Postgraduate students, staff, and faculty executives gathered under the theme "Building Africa's Public Health Leadership and Research Capacity: The next 25 years," a theme that resonates with the school’s mission and vision, reflecting its commitment to fostering a healthier, stronger Africa.
As the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Tian de Jager, eloquently stated, “ public health encompasses the science of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through collaborative efforts. In a society marked by emerging diseases, climate change, and health inequities, the need for robust public health leadership and research capacity has never been greater”.
The event, marking a significant milestone in SHSPH’s journey, featured Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, the incoming President of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), as the keynote speaker.
Prof. Ntusi, in his speech titled “The Future of Health Research in South Africa,” provided a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and the critical priorities for the future. He began by acknowledging the impressive breadth and depth of scholarship within South Africa’s health research community. He also expressed his excitement to join SHSPH for the day, wishing the school continued strength for the next quarter-century.
Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, the incoming President of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)
In his address, Prof. Ntusi outlined the pressing issues shaping health research today, including governance crises, planetary health concerns, sustainable development goals, digital revolutions, non-communicable diseases, and the decolonization of global health. He emphasised the need for research priorities to align with these challenges to ensure impactful and relevant health outcomes.
Prof. Ntusi highlighted the achievements and challenges of South African health research, noting a significant increase in research publications and international collaborations. He pointed out the misalignment between funding allocations and the leading causes of mortality, particularly the underfunding of non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
He also discussed the role of science councils like the SAMRC, emphasising their responsibility not only to fund research but to uphold the value of science in society, facilitate innovation, and develop research capacity. Prof. Ntusi shared his vision for the SAMRC, focusing on resilience, responsiveness, and responsibility, and outlined strategic priorities for the next decade, including digital health, planetary health, and pandemic preparedness.
One of the undoubted highlights of the Research Day was the launch of the SHSPH 25th Anniversary Supplement in the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ). Professor Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, Chairperson of the School of Health Systems and Public Health, introduced the supplement and reflected on the school’s journey.
Prof. Ayo-Yusuf highlighted the school’s commitment to public health excellence and its significant contributions over the past 25 years. He emphasised the importance of partnerships and collaborations in achieving these milestones. He celebrated the school’s efforts in training public health professionals and its role in shaping health policies and practices through ground-breaking research.
The SAMJ supplement features papers authored by SHSPH’s recent postgraduate students. These papers address critical health system challenges, maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, and global health issues. The supplement showcases the competencies and research excellence of SHSPH graduates, reflecting the school’s dedication to fostering the next generation of public health leaders.
As SHSPH looks forward to the next 25 years, Prof. Ayo-Yusuf called for continued innovation and adaptation to address evolving public health challenges. He reiterated the school’s commitment to ensuring health as a fundamental human right, aligning with the vision of implementing National Health Insurance to provide equitable access to quality healthcare for all South Africans.
The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Tian de Jager, receives the copy of the The SAMJ supplement
The second keynote address on Global Health Leadership was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, Vice President of Global Health Strategy at the UN Foundation. Delivering his speech virtually, Dr. Ogwell emphasised the critical role of young professionals in health security and highlighted the importance of encouraging young people to engage in emerging areas crucial for the safety and health of the continent and the world.
Dr. Ogwell stated, "The youth are not just our future; they are our present and our future. If we harness the power that the youth have, then we can change a lot, not just in health and not just in Africa, but in many other sectors globally." He emphasised that the youth in Africa should be playing their role todayas their energy and innovative potential are vital for driving change.
.Dr. Ogwell pointed out that the substantial proportion of young people in Africa is vital for driving innovation and addressing health security challenges. He described the African youth as agile, tech-savvy, and full of potential, capable of leveraging technology and innovation to address the continent’s health challenges.
In his speech, Dr. Ogwell also discussed the unique challenges faced by the African continent, including diverse communities with distinct beliefs and practices, and the need for more well-defined continental institutions to coordinate health security efforts. He stressed the importance of culturally sensitive interventions and the necessity of understanding local contexts to effectively address health security issues.
Dr. Ogwell provided a historical overview of health security threats in Africa, from the Chikungunya outbreaks in the 1950s to more recent challenges like Ebola, measles, and polio. He noted that the response strategies must evolve to be more preventive and adaptive to changing geographical and epidemiological patterns. He also called for a coordinated continental approach, citing the successful collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic as a model for future efforts.
The Research Day provided an opportunity for the SHSPH to showcase its Masters and PhD research. Research presentations spanned a diverse range of topics including environmental health, HIV/TB, health promotion, and health systems strengthening. Prizes were awarded to Moipoti Makgalemane, Matome Mokganya, and Linda Nzombe for their excellent Masters research presentations on the day. Importantly, the Research Day provided a platform for a number of first-time presenters who will undoubtedly benefit from this experience as they navigate their public health careers.
The final session of the day featured an alumni panel discussion on ‘Developing Africa’s next generation of public health advocates and leaders: The role of Schools of Public Health’. The outstanding alumni panel consisted of Dr Peter Mbondji (Executive Director of HSSD-Group), Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni (CEO: Office of Health Standards Compliance), Dr Edzani Mphaphuli (Executive Director: Grow Great Campaign), and Ms Akhona Tshangela (Southern Africa Director: WomenLift Health). The panel drew on their personal experience as they highlighted a number of areas for the SHSPH to focus on in ensuring that SHSPH graduates are ready to tackle the public health challenges facing the continent.
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