Research at Annual Academic Days

Service aligns itself to the Batho Pele Principles, guiding public health service delivery in the DOD, emphasizing health care, environmental protection, patient rights and health care system utilization”.

The Surgeon Generals Academic Days for 2023 was hosted under the theme “Back to basics”. The objective was to revisit and discuss SAMHS related clinical protocols as well as any other recent research conducted by SAMHS members. The SG of the South the South African National Defence Force, Lt Gen Ntshavheni Peter Maphaha in his opening remarks said, “The South African Military Health

He continued, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely absence of disease or infirmity. It is a fundamental human right of every human being, without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social circumstances or background and that the attainment of the highest possible level in the promotion and protection of health by any state is of value for all”.

Amongst the invited guests that graced this event with their presence were Prof Flavia Senkubuge from the University of Pretoria, the key note speaker of the day presented on the topic “Thequadrupleburdenofdisease inSouthAfrica”and Maj G. Gold from South African Army (SA Army) who presented “SANDF member’scopingstrategieswhen theypresentwiththesignsand symptomsrelatedtoadultAttention DeficitHyperactivityDisorder . Within the SAMHS there were about 27 professionals who presented their research papers on different topics.

The Forum will provide the SG, SAMHS Command Council and Scientific Committee an opportunity to select the best researchers and research topics to be presented at international conferences such as the International Conference in Military Medicine (ICMM).

Major General Mphikeleni

Simelane in his closing remarks said, “the symposium is pivotal because most of the recommendations will be used to review policies in order to shape the future of health service in the SANDF.

I therefore urge all members of the South African Military Health Service to get back to basics in order to improve efficiency, effectiveness and synergy of effort”.

He closed the Three (3) days symposium by announcing the winner of the best research paper, Major C.K.K. Mathobela whose research paper was on Antimicrobial Resistance, a silent killer. During his interview with the SAMHSNewshe said what motivated him to do this research is that “rearing chickens consumed by human beings puts a burden on global antimicrobial resistance and when Doctors prescribed antibiotics to these patients they become resistant towards the treatment as the problem emanates from the chickens. He further explained that poultry farming for commercial purposes contribute negatively to human health.

He continued by encouraging the upcoming professionals to do more research not to rely only on policies but to be more innovative.