AI in healthcare:
The intersection of AI and public health
Uncovering links between depression and hypertension in African populations
Driving Equity: New Agreements Boost RSV and HIV Prevention in LMICs
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Although the year seems to be accelerating in the latter half, it is my privilege to take a moment to reflect on the progress made during this third term. This period has been marked by both challenges and opportunities that underscore the resilience and vision of our community.
The University’s commitment to sustaining excellence in health sciences research was demonstrated through the funding made available to support students and principal investigators who faced the sudden loss of critical grants This intervention not only protected vital research programmes but also ensured that the pipeline of young scholars and innovators continues to flourish.
Looking forward, we recognise that the demands on
health sciences are evolving rapidly The Faculty must remain at the forefront of innovation, investing in research and development that addresses both immediate and long-term health priorities This includes strengthening health security, building systems capable of responding to pandemics and emerging threats, and driving discovery that translates into tangible improvements in health and well-being
Importantly, our approach must be rooted in Africanled solutions By drawing on our unique strengths, patient populations, and scientific expertise, we have the opportunity to develop insights and interventions that are globally relevant while deeply responsive to our context. In doing so, we not only contribute to global science but also affirm our responsibility to shape healthier futures for our communities.
I thank all members of the Faculty for their commitment, creativity, and collaboration. Together, we are ensuring that the Faculty of Health Sciences remains a place of discovery, innovation, and impact.
Shabir A. Madhi Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences
The Faculty of Health Sciences recently marked an important milestone with the sod-turning ceremony for the BioHub, a visionary project designed to transform the way we approach discovery and innovation.
The BioHub will bring together world-class researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the journey from ideas to impact At its core, it is about creating a collaborative space where insights from the bedside can inform discovery at the bench, ultimately leading to breakthroughs that improve health outcomes.
With access to patient and population platforms, cutting-edge discovery sciences, and Africa’s largest clinical trials infrastructure, the BioHub will serve as a powerful engine for developing diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies Just as importantly, it will drive implementation science to ensure that solutions are not only discovered but also delivered where they are most needed
The sod-turning marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the Faculty and the University. The BioHub will position us at the forefront of health innovation,
building African-led solutions that address pressing health challenges while contributing to global knowledge
As construction begins, the BioHub stands as a symbol of our commitment to harness science, technology, and collaboration to improve lives locally and globally.
Ceremony attendees touring the parts of the new Biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratories.
Research in JAMA Network
Wits Researchers involved: Shabir Madhi, Ziyaad Dangor, Vuyelwa Baba, Sithembiso Velaphi, Yasmin Adam
According to UNICEF’s 2024 report on child mortality estimation, newborns account for 2.3 million deaths of children under five years old, nearly half of the annual total. Most of these deaths occurred in LMICs. Perinatal asphyxia and neonatal sepsis are among the leading causes of newborn deaths worldwide; both conditions are largely preventable with timely, proper care for the babies.
Wits VIDA researchers collaborated in the research paper titled Adherence to Perinatal Asphyxia or Sepsis Management Guidelines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The study was conducted in seven LMICs, namely: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Africa The study looked closely at a striking reality: babies who died within the first month of life from perinatal asphyxia not enough oxygen at birth or neonatal sepsis, a severe infection, often succumbed to conditions that could have been prevented or treated with timely and appropriate medical care. Using data from the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network, they reviewed medical records and postmortem findings to see whether healthcare providers followed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines for care.
The study, which undertook postmortem sampling on 1194 newborns aged 0 to 28 days in December 2015 and October 2023, found that less than 5% the babies sampled with perinatal asphyxia received all the recommended treatments Those with antemortem diagnosis had a better chance of receiving bag-valvemask (BVM) ventilation compared to those who were not diagnosed before death.
Only 61% of babies with neonatal sepsis received WHO-recommended antibiotics, although an overall of 86% of babies were administered non-recommended antibiotics.
South Africa had the highest adherence rates for both conditions largely because it has a better-resourced health system compared to other CHAMPS sites “Even though many of the guidelines require inexpensive resources, some sites still lack consistent access to basics such as routine antibiotics or neonatal resuscitation equipment,” explains Dr Siobhan Johnstone, CHAMPS Program Manager and Epidemiologist at Wits VIDA.
He says in contrast, the CHAMPS South Africa site benefits from better resource availability and more reliable access to healthcare, meaning children, particularly neonates, are more likely to be managed appropriately when needed. The main source of data for the South African site is an academic hospital, where clinical guidelines are more routinely implemented, unlike in some other CHAMPS settings
Read the full article
The lack of access to specialised care contributed to a 7-day mortality rate of 20.7% among critically ill patients nearly eight times higher than for noncritically ill patients Basic essential emergency and critical care (EECC) interventions, such as oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, and airway support, were underutilised, with only 44.4% of patients receiving complete EECC care Read the full article
Wits Researchers involved: Juan Scribante, Zainub Jooma
The first thing you’d expect to happen when you walk into a hospital with a loved one who’s struggling to breathe or is barely conscious is to get immediate care and for the medical staff to administer oxygen, fluids, or maybe even a transfer to intensive care. In many African hospitals, that care might not be available. A major study across 22 African countries, the African Critical Illness Outcomes Study (ACIOS), which was published in The Lancet, found that 1 in 8 hospital patients is critically ill, yet most are treated in regular wards, not intensive care units.
The study highlights a significant and preventable burden of critical illness in Africa The study found that 68.6% of critically ill patients were treated in general wards, not intensive care units Only 17 1% were in ICUs, and 14.2% in high care units, highlighting limited access to specialised care settings across African hospitals
Wits Honorary Associate Professor, Juan Scribante and South Africa’s national lead in the study, says although it is known that the burden of critical illness is high in Africa, the higher burden of critical care illness is not reflected in the number of critical care beds per capita in Africa compared with with high-income countries
Wits Researchers involved: Johnny Mahlangu
Imagine a single cut or bruise being a serious risk to your life; this is the reality for people with severe haemophilia B, caused by a missing protein called factor IX. For years, their lives have revolved around regular injections of this protein to prevent bleeding, a routine that can be painful, costly, and exhausting. Researchers are evaluating the longterm effects of a promising new treatment, a livertargeted gene therapy using an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector, to assess its efficacy and safety over 13 years.
The idea was to deliver a healthy copy of the factor IX gene, which is associated with severe haemophilia, into the liver using a harmless virus, to prompt the body into producing its own clotting protein One treatment could, in theory, replace years of injections. The results of the study, Sustained Clinical Benefit of AAV Gene Therapy in Severe Haemophilia B, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were remarkable The ten male patients (aged 11–13 years) who received this therapy showed stable levels of factor IX for up to 13 years They reported far fewer bleeding episodes than before the AVV treatment, meaning they could go about their daily lives with less worry and disruption
Ten years post-infusion, active transgene expression was observed in hepatocytes, with no evidence of fibrosis or dysplasia. Fifteen vector-related events also occurred, mostly due to transient elevations in liver enzymes. Read the full study
Wits researcher involved: Nazir Ismail, Alane Izu, Shaheed Omar, Shabir Madhi
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings. Despite having access to excellent diagnostics and treatment, outcomes are still suboptimal, especially in communities facing financial and social pressures. This study examined the effectiveness of combining conditional financial incentives with supportive counselling to help patients adhere to their treatment regimen.
A randomised controlled trial was implemented across nine clinics in Johannesburg, targeting participants aged 18 years and older undergoing investigation for pulmonary TB. The trial assessed whether providing pre- and post-test counselling and R150 per clinic visit at the initiation and monthly until treatment completion would motivate participants to complete their treatment
The study titled ‘Effects of conditional cash transfers and pre-test and post-test tuberculosis counselling on patient outcomes and loss to follow-up across the continuum of care in South Africa: a randomised controlled trial’ was published in The Lancet.
Key findings
93% of eligible payments were successfully made. The proportion of dropouts and unsuccessful patient outcomes was reduced by approximately half among those who received financial support and counselling These results were corroborated by a study finding that factors such as full-time employment and food security were associated with better read the full article
Wits researchers involved: Lee Fairlie
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to claim lives, especially among young people, with an estimated 1.8 million adolescents and young adults contracting the disease each year. This age group was historically neglected as TB surveillance focused on "children" (aged 0–14 years) and "adults" (aged ≥15 years). Today, scientists are looking to see if a second dose of the BCG vaccine called revaccination is the answer to addressing this lag.
Researchers conducted a placebo-controlled trial at five sites in South Africa for the paper titled BCG Revaccination for the Prevention of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection They revaccinated 1,836 teens with BCG shots between 2019 and 2021, tracking them for two and a half years The participants (aged 10–18 years) were HIV-negative and QFT-negative (detects latent or active TB infection). Participants were randomly assigned to the BCG vaccine group or the placebo group to compare the efficacy of revaccination between the two
Key findings
The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that almost the same number of teens developed TB in both groups 62 with the extra BCG shot, 59 with the placebo The revaccination sparked an immune response, but it wasn’t enough to protect against the infection BCG revaccination induced cytokine-positive CD4 T-cell responses that persisted for at least 6 months post-vaccination The BCG group experienced a higher rate of mild to moderate adverse events, such as swelling (72%), pain (42%) and redness (38%)
Although a prior trial showed 45% efficacy for preventing sustained infection, this trial showed the opposite despite a larger sample size and broader geographic and age inclusion Read the full article
As global health systems grapple with shifting political priorities, economic volatility, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa finds itself at a critical juncture The 2025 Botlhale Orenstein Lecture titled ‘The Changing Map: Global Health on Shifting Sands’, delivered by Professor Helen Rees, painted a sobering yet hopeful picture of the continent’s health funding landscape
One of the most alarming trends is the sharp decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) for health. Traditional donors such as USAID, PEPFAR, and the EU have significantly reduced their contributions Sub-Saharan Africa was the largest recipient of US health aid in 2024, to which the United States of America contributed 70% of its HIV/AIDS response. This, Professor Rees said, was mainly channelled to the mother-to-child transmission programme and providing HIV treatment to the infected
You would get potentially another 14 million additional deaths globally and another 4.5 million deaths amongst children.
In her talk, she highlighted that the predicted cuts to USAID between 2025 and 2030 could be catastrophic “You would get potentially another 14 million additional deaths globally and another 4 5 million deaths amongst children”, she explained, highlighting that children under five years old are particularly at risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) is also facing a 21% budget cut, threatening essential programmes in pandemic preparedness, emergency response, and disease eradication particularly in Africa, where over $150 million in funding has been lost
Professor Rees also raised concerns that Africa remains heavily dependent on external health products Currently, the continent imports 99% of its vaccines, representing only 12 million locally manufactured doses, which serve less than 1% of the population, a far cry from the ambitious vaccine production target for Africa The deep inequities in access to and production of vaccines and diagnostics were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
which has catalysed efforts to strengthen regional institutions In this regard, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expanding its role in epidemic intelligence, emergency operations, and vaccine procurement.
Global health financing is facing serious challenges that are exacerbated by key institutions, such as the Pandemic Fund and the African Development Bank. These rely on voluntary contributions, which can cause funding uncertainties.
Professor Rees says that these contradictions create a troubling contradiction: while global leaders have agreed to a Pandemic Treaty to strengthen preparedness, they are failing to adequately fund the mechanisms needed to implement it.
“It was estimated that over 50% of low-income countries are at high risk of a debt crisis Africa, on average, is spending over 50% [of its budget] just servicing those loans. So it's all a bit grim on the finance side,” she adds.
Professor Helen Rees delivering the Botlhale Orenstein Lecture at the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences campus in Parktown, Johannesburg.
She suggests African countries reduce aid dependency by adopting innovative health financing like taxing sugar and tobacco, swapping debt for health spending, and blending public, private, and philanthropic funds.
Prof Rees emphasised that Africa can achieve far more by pooling regional financing, forming alliances on mutually beneficial causes to improve procurement and reduce costs. She adds “If you get a lot of African countries to work together to buy, say, a vaccine, you can beat the prices down because of volume guarantees And then there are innovations such as volume and procurement guarantees and what's called advance market commitments”. For instance, organisations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are ensuring a marketplace for the private sector to produce health products that are primarily needed by low-income countries
Leapfrogging with Technology and Research
Professor Rees says South Africa needs a more robustly funded national research ecosystem that integrates national and regional priorities into the health system
We should focus on leapfrogging technologies and interventions that we don't have to do everything from the letter A. We should have research that can pivot quickly to emergency research when needed
She adds that embracing AI-driven innovations can help the continent to overcome resource constraints, pointing to opportunities in AI-powered diagnostics, predictive analytics for disease surveillance and outbreak detection as well as imaging tools for TB, malaria, and cervical cancer.
While the global health funding landscape is fraught with challenges, Africa has an opportunity to reimagine its health systems, mobilise domestic resources, and leverage innovation to build resilience
In her commentary on the lecture, Precious Matsotso, Director of Wits University’s Health Regulatory Science Platform and co-chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body that developed the WHO Pandemic Agreement, echoed that there is a need for equitable access to health and benefits sharing
Speaking on the role of the pandemic agreement and its implications for health funding in low-income and developing countries, Matsotso emphasised the need for coordinating financing mechanisms and early-stage multiple funding arrangements to ensure the agreement is effective.
“We are hoping that it [the financing framework] will help provide support not only for the implementation of the pandemic agreement, but also to create a proper, robust health architecture,” she added.
It is time to increase Africa’s governmental representation on the governing board of the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria.
Health funders would likely have a better return on investment and a stronger position in the global funding crisis if Africans had greater decision-making influence and voting power in global health institutions.
This is an assertion in an article published on 15 September 2025 in the prestigious BMJ Global Health journal
Africa carries the burden, but not the votes or the power
Currently, Africa receives 71% of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GTAFM) funds, yet holds only 10% of voting seats on the institution’s governing board.
One additional government voting seat would not only align with global norms and declarations but also strengthen African health policy, accountability, aid effectiveness, and sustainability, through increased participation in decision-making that is of direct concern to their health systems.
“Funding decisions largely affect Africans, and yet their voices are systematically minimised Beyond having
greater representation on the GTAFM Board, we are advocating for a complete shift in the global health institutional architecture,” says Robyn HayesBadenhorst, Founder and Co-Executive Director of Supporting Health Initiatives (SHI) at Wits University, and co-author of the article
This rebalanced global health environment is of critical importance, notably as the GFATM confirmed in July that it is cutting US$1.43 billion in funding already allocated for its current funding cycle This followed uncertainty and upheaval as the US froze funding and then dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID). More recently, Germany announced plans to reduce its funding for global health aid further Indeed, GFATM will receive US$117 million less over the coming years
A crisis moment opens the door for reform
“While these funding cuts happened far too quickly and harshly, it is an opportunity for radical reform in the global health institutional system If we start doing this by adding at least one governmental voting seat on the GFATM board, we can begin to push for better strategic investments for the promotion of self-reliance, which would meaningfully enhance long-term health and wellbeing for the most vulnerable,” says Professor Garrett Wallace Brown from the University of Leeds, who led the SHI research
exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) pills Moreover, the agreement now brings the price of the injectable on par with oral PrEP, a key condition for uptake in low- and middle-income countries.
The revolutionary HIV prevention tool, injectable lenacapavir, will be available at a cost of US$40 a year in 120 low- and middle-income countries starting in 2027, under a new partnership announced today between Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI.
Originally developed by Gilead Sciences, lenacapavir is a twice-yearly injection that has shown exceptional effectiveness in preventing HIV Since 2010, coordinated global efforts have reduced new HIV infections by 40%, however, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) data show 1 3 million new infections occurred in 2024. This longacting injectable could transform HIV prevention for millions of people who struggle with daily oral pre-
DESSM
Global
“This is exactly the kind of impact Unitaid was created to deliver. Just as we did with dolutegravir, which became the most widely used HIV treatment worldwide, we are working with partners to ensure lenacapavir will be within reach for millions who need it most,” said Unitaid’s Executive Director, Dr Philippe Duneton.
“The ability to protect someone for six months with a single injection, at the same cost as the currently available daily pills, is truly transformational,” said President Bill Clinton, Board Chair and Co-Founder of CHAI
"Generic manufacture of lenacapavir is essential to ensure this breakthrough HIV prevention option is not limited to a privileged few,” said Professor Saiqa Mullick, Director of Implementation Science at Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand. “By driving prices down and securing sustainable supply, generics will make six-monthly PrEP a real read the full press release
Caption: Professor Demitri
signing the 2025 Hamburg Declaration
The Wits Department of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (DESSM) is a signatory to the 2025 Hamburg Declaration on Sport, Health, and Human Performance Wits Professor at Exercise Is Medicine® SA, Professor Demitri Constantinou, signed the Declaration on behalf of the South African Sports Medicine Association; and the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) Steering Group of International Collaborating Centres of Sports Medicine, at the at the International Sport and Exercise Medicine Summit.
“In South Africa particularly, we have additional barriers to physical activity such as some cultural beliefs, poor access to facilities, financial constraints, and our built environment, for example, safe parks, sidewalks, running and cycle lanes,” says Constantinou He added that it is important to use a multidisciplinary approach, including teaching, research, and services to promote physical activity. Read the full article
Every year, millions of young children around the world are infected by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can cause severe lung infections. Tragically, more than 100,000 of these children under five years die each year, with 97% happening in low-and middle-income countries where access to healthcare is limited. RSV also puts children at a higher risk of contracting bacterial pneumonia. Babies younger than six months are especially vulnerable, making maternal immunisation a promising approach to reducing the burden of infant morbidity and mortality due to RSV in the first few months of life.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is an international partnership that is driven by a mission to improve access to life-saving vaccines for children in the world’s poorest countries. Gavi’s support for RSV prevention strategies, including maternal vaccines and long-acting monoclonal antibodies, can keep many infants safe from severe illness and death. These powerful tools, the RSVpreF maternal vaccine and the RSV monoclonal antibody nirsevimab, have already been rolled out in wealthier countries, demonstrating a significant public health impact and highlighting the life-saving impact of these interventions.
Associate Professor Michelle Groome, Wits VIDA Principal Researcher and technical lead of the Maternal Immunisation Readiness Network in Africa and Asia (MIRNA), says that the costs of these new interventions are prohibitive in LMICs In 2018, Gavi had already identified RSV as a priority for vaccine support, contingent on factors such as product licensure, WHO prequalification, a recommendation from the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE), financial feasibility, and the availability of funds Delays in introducing these interventions mean that many young lives are not being saved
“Several important milestones have now been reached In 2024, SAGE [WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts] recommended that all countries introduce products for the prevention of severe RSV disease in infants,” notes Groome.
The RSVpreF vaccine is available as a single-dose vial, which was WHO prequalified as the first maternal respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in March 2025; multidose vials are expected by 2026, improving affordability for LMICs Read the full article
Wits transfers lipid formulation tech, made to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, to Afrigen Biologics.
The Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP), a leader in novel drug delivery solutions, has developed and transferred proprietary lipid formulation technology to Afrigen Biologics.
This is an important milestone for the pharmaceutical sciences and precision medicine fields. WADDP’s lipid formulation technology, made to enhance drug delivery and efficacy, could target cardiovascular diseases, cancer and infectious illnesses
After undergoing rigorous development and optimisation, the lipid formulation has now been fully transferred to Afrigen Biologics. Now, scaling up and implementing good manufacturing practice (GMP) at the company’s facility are possible.
A lipid-based delivery system uses tiny, fat-like particles to enhance the absorption and targeting of drugs in the body, resulting in more effective and stable treatments compared to traditional methods. (Traditional methods in this case involve simple lipidbased carriers that have less precise control over drug release, stability and targeting)
In particular, the newly developed lipid system is designed to enhance the stability and bioavailability of dosed bio-metals, such as iron. This augurs well for conditions such as anaemia, which carries a high global health burden and affects nearly a quarter read more
CIVIS network African associate Wits University hosts students studying maternal and neonatal immunisation.
As part of the CIVIS Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in Maternal and Neonatal Immunisation, students from Africa and Europe visited the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) in Johannesburg, South Africa and public health facilities, from 21-25 July 2025
CIVIS is a network of 11 European universities which, since 2022, has included six African associate universities.Wits University is the only South African institution in the CIVIS association
CIVIS BIPs are co-led by three or four academics from different universities Student mobility is an important component of BIPs, to encourage international exposure and learning The 13-week course is a major assignment and assessment, and culminates in the students visiting the host university for a week
The physical mobility component of the BIP in Maternal and Neonatal Immunisation in Johannesburg, South Africa in July 2025, was the first in-person BIP outside Europe, and the first in Africa This BIP has already been approved to take place again in 2026.
The Wits CIVIS BIP representative Associate Professor Clare Cutland is the Scientific Coordinator at the Wits African Leadership in Vaccinology Expertise (WitsALIVE). She coordinates postgraduate vaccinology training at Wits University, including the Master’s in Science (Medical) in Vaccinology and the African Advanced Vaccinology (Afro-ADVAC) short course
The Department of Chemical Pathology in the School of Pathology at the Faculty of Health Sciences launched the Wits Mass Spectrometry Drug Monitoring Initiative, marking a milestone for South African medical research and clinical care. The initiative aims to harness advanced mass spectrometry technologies to improve drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics, and ultimately, patient outcomes.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Siyabonga Khoza, Head of the Department of Chemical Pathology, emphasised the significance of this achievement, “This is a special day for the department and the school at large By launching the mass spectrometry and therapeutic drug monitoring initiative, we are building capacity within the university, showcasing our research, and positioning ourselves as pioneers in this field.”
Mass spectrometry enables scientists to measure pharmaceutical compounds with high precision, supporting both clinical care and large-scale research studies The technology is especially critical for pharmacokinetics, understanding how drugs are metabolised in different populations.
Dr Sean Currin, Co-director of the initiative, highlighted its clinical importance, “Mass spectrometry and drug monitoring is an underresearched and underserved area, particularly in Africa. With our expertise and equipment, we can make a real difference by conducting research that directly improves patient care and population health ” he said. Read more
The Department of Anatomical Pathology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits University, launched its pioneering Digital Pathology Hub (DPH). A groundbreaking initiative designed to transform cancer diagnosis, pathology training, and research across South Africa and the African continent.
Speaking at the launch, and Co-Director of the Hub, Associate Professor Reubina Wadee, Head of the Department of Anatomical Pathology at Wits, explained that the Hub was born out of urgent necessity. “Anatomical pathology is required for definitive diagnosis on patient biopsy specimens. Unfortunately, South Africa faces a shortage of pathologists, which negatively impacts patient diagnostics as well as teaching,” she said.
The Digital Pathology Hub will serve as a multi-purpose platform for education, research, and eventually diagnostics, offering new ways of learning and collaboration across disciplines. Wadee emphasised that the Hub is envisioned not only as a resource for Wits but also as a tool that can be shared with other institutions locally, across Africa, and internationally.
Associate Professor Tanya Augustine and Co-Director of the Hub, highlighted the broader vision. “This is about intermingling multiple disciplines, computational pathology, tumour biology, engineering, bioethics and law to develop innovative solutions for pathology diagnosis and cancer research,” she explained Read more
The history of science is enriched by the contributions of women who challenged convention and redefined possibility Figures such as Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and still the only person to receive Nobel Prizes in two different sciences, demonstrated both brilliance and perseverance in an era when women were largely excluded from scientific pursuit. Others, like Rosalind Franklin, whose work was pivotal in understanding the structure of DNA, remind us of the vital role women have played in shaping modern science Also in STEM research, NASA scientists Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson whose work made possible the manned space missions
Today, the Faculty of Health Sciences continues this legacy Women are among the driving forces of our
teaching, research, and clinical work We have globally renowned women leading laboratories, shaping policy, mentoring the next generation, and advancing discoveries that change lives Their leadership and innovation are central to the Faculty’s impact, ensuring that our contributions to health, science, and society are not only rigorous but also inclusive and forwardlooking
As we reflect on the historical trailblazers, we celebrate the women within our Faculty who carry that spirit forward. We celebrate of the women breaking barriers, building knowledge, and driving progress in health sciences. The School of Therapeutic Sciences paid tribute to the scientific leadership of women in their faculty Click here to learn more about these trailblazers!
READ | Cheaper mRNA vaccines in a nutshell
Professor Patrick Arbuthnot, who heads South Africa’s first dedicated gene therapy research unit, the Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit (AGTRU), partnered with Professor Charles de Koning from the Wits School of Chemistry to explore the use of cashew nutshell liquid as a key ingredient for a more affordable carrier for mRNA vaccines. Read the original feature article on Nature Africa
WATCH | Can South Africa’s HIV fight survive the US funding pull-out?
Health Economic and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) researchers, Dr Lise Jamieson and Professor Gesine Meyer-Rath, discussed how South Africa’s HIV programme is at risk of a surge in AIDS-related deaths and new infections They cite that a new prevention jab, lenacapavir, can turn around this challenge, but funding remains uncertain Their recent research explores the cost of the plunge and how PrEP can be beneficial in the long-term.
A new study from Wits University, led by PhD fellow Saira Abdulla at the Centre for Health Policy, highlights the urgent need to integrate mental health services into South Africa’s primary health care system The research, conducted in Sedibeng District, shows that while integration improves access for patients with serious mental illness, challenges such as poor infrastructure, staff shortages, and weak leadership hinder effective implementation calling for stronger management, clearer referral systems, and dedicated mental health champions
READ | Wits Research Highlights the Burden of Group B Streptococcus
The World Health Organisation has labelled maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaccines as an “urgent need,” especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden is highest.
Wits-VIDA scientists and others have shown that GBS carriage and disease rates vary widely across countries, regions, and population groups. To better understand the impact of bacterium, researchers at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Read the original article on Science
LISTENING | Professor Charl Verwey discussed how widely available annual flu vaccines are a solution to reduce risk of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections, as RSV treatment options are limited in the public sector.
The genetic blueprint of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) could be permanently inactivated with newly engineered TALENs.
This highlights an important preclinical model that could be successful in humans. The notoriously persistent, difficult-to-treat, lifelong and contagious virus – which insidiously attacks the liver – infects millions, particularly those with compromised immune systems and children Globally, over 296 million people are infected, with many living in South Africa.
Dr Tiffany Smith, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit (AGTRU), has developed an innovative solution to tackle this challenge. She used a gene-editing technology called TALENs (transcription activator-like effector nucleases) to precisely and permanently disable the virus’s hidden genetic material.
Unlike the CRISPR-based approaches, TALENs do not require guide RNAs and are highly effective even in complex or tightly packed DNA regions The study is published in the journal Viruses.
The key innovation lies in targeting covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the viral “mini chromosome” that makes HBV so difficult to cure. Medications can suppress HBV activity but cannot eliminate this stubborn form of viral DNA, which hides inside infected liver cells and fuels relapse when treatment stops Smith’s “molecular scissors” are designed to cut and inactivate HBV cccDNA, something that has long frustrated scientists “The ability to target the virus’s genetic blueprint directly paves the way for reduced healthcare costs and dramatically improved outcomes,” she says.
Read more
Kruti Naik, a PhD candidate in ocular drug delivery at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP) at Wits University, could change the way eye infections and conditions are treated Eye drops are the go-to treatment,
but Naik is determined to find efficient and cheaper ways to treat vision problems. With about 1 in 6 people in Africa being blind, and a rising number of visual health issues owing to untreated communicable diseases (such as HIV) and non-communicable diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension), her work is timely.
Imagine that a tiny patch with micro-scale needles, much like a contact lens, painlessly delivers medicine to the front part of the eye and specific cells There’s no wastage, such as with administering eye drops, and there’s no need for refrigeration of the medication – a major challenge in Africa’s healthcare facilities Microneedles offer significant potential for creating smart drug delivery systems that are biocompatible, biodegradable, and tailored to specific medical needs.
“We wanted our approach to fight off severe infection of the eye, which we are seeing more of, amid the scourge of antibiotic resistance,” said Naik
She aims to integrate nanomedicine principles with microneedle delivery systems to further enhance efficiency, targeting, and safety. This combined approach can combat eye infections, degenerative diseases, and inflammation, which are often connected with infectious and non-communicable diseases like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
She added that eye infections can lead to blindness if not treated promptly and efficiently The technology is being developed to be minimally invasive, precise and “can make a life-saving difference.”
Read the full article
For many families, giving a child daily HIV medication is a stressful, complicated task. Tablets must be crushed and carefully dosed as children grow. A missed dose, or just a small mistake, can have serious consequences. But what if treatment could be as simple as putting on a plaster, twice a week?
That’s the goal behind a new generation of painless microneedle patches being developed by Hannah Wellington, a PhD student at the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP).
These tiny patches are designed to deliver paediatric HIV treatment safely and reliably, giving caregivers an easier and more consistent alternative to tablets “Caregivers want to do the right thing, but the current system is quite burdensome”, says Wellington “Our patches remove the guesswork. You apply them like a plaster, and they dissolve, delivering the right amount of medicine directly ”
Each patch is designed to provide slow-release, lifesaving antiretrovirals (ARVs), reducing treatment from a daily struggle to just one or two applications per week. This is a lifeline for children in homes where treatment fatigue and access issues are real challenges.
What makes the technology even more promising is its practicality. At WADDP, the team can 3D-print the patches in-house and customise them for different age groups and dosing needs.
“What excites me is that this technology is both affordable and scalable. It can benefit the most vulnerable, especially children in rural and read more
Dr Trust Gangaidzo, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Health Policy, Wits School of Public Health, was awarded a grant to lead the development of a Mental Health Data Platform for Young People (PAMHoYA). The project is funded under the Mental Health Data Prize Africa, an initiative of the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) in partnership with Wellcome (UK).
Dr Gangaidzo will lead the Africa-led project as Principal Investigator to a multidisciplinary research network comprising the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Stellenbosch University, Sol Plaatje University, and University College London
“PAMHoYA is not a technical exercise It is about making mental health data visible, usable, and policy relevant. By reducing duplication, building capacity, and fostering collaboration, we aim to strengthen data systems and inform real improvements in mental health care and policy for young people,” says Dr Gangaifdzo
Officially launched in June 2025 in Cape Town, with various partners, this collaboration is in response to the urgent need to strengthen mental health data systems in South Africa, where mental health conditions among young people aged 15–24 are common but poorly tracked.
This has created fragmented data and underdeveloped surveillance systems, which makes it harder to plan and deliver effective mental health services, leaving many young people without the support they need.
PAMHoYA will facilitate access to and synthesis of existing studies, support national estimates, highlight research gaps, and foster collaboration read more
Young Wits emerging researchers' bag distinguished awards and research grants at the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA) annual congress. These accolades have demonstrated excellence in clinical care, research, and academic development.
The registrars, medical officers, and fellows of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism based at the Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) presented eight posters at the congress, seven of which were original research studies primarily conducted within the unit
These young researchers were recognised for their impressive achievements and research grants Dr Nanabhay and Dr Deoraj won Cipla grants for diabetesrelated studies, with Dr Nanabhay also receiving a clinician travel award. Dr Hewson and Dr Thejpal secured Astra grants focused on diabetes and chronic kidney disease Dr Kola earned top honours for best oral research and presentation.
Dr Yashvir Bunwarie, also presented a rare and globally significant clinical case titled A Rare Case of Levothyroxine Overdose This poster presentation described one of only ten adult cases reported worldwide and details the complex management of a patient with multiple comorbidities who ingested an unusually high dose of levothyroxine in a suicide attempt “this case offered valuable insights into the challenges of diagnosis, monitoring, and multidisciplinary management,” says Dr Bunwaries adding that highlights the importance of early detection, monitoring for delayed onset of symptoms, and tailoring therapy in resource-constrained settings Read the full article
PhD nursing student, Naomi Ohene Oti, received the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award. Oti is a specialist oncology nurse based in Ghana, where she heads the nursing unit at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre
Dr Oarabile Mochwanaesi (25), a Wits MSc candidate in Community Dentistry and practicing dentist, has been named among the 2025 Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans for his impactful research into barriers to preventive dental care and his longstanding commitment to youth development through education
Mochwanaesi, who was also nominated earlier in the year for a Civil Society Young Leaders Award by Free SA, has been driving change since 2018 through his non-profit organisation, the Mochwanaesi Foundation, which he founded during his first year of university.
The Foundation empowers disadvantaged, academically talented learners through tutoring, mentorship, career guidance and leadership development “Our approach is effective because it is personalised, every learner has an individual academic plan, and our volunteers are trained to inspire, not just instruct,” he explains
Although the success of these programs can be measured in tangible academic achievements like distinctions
Read more
Prof Gareth Seaward Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award
Two Faculty of Health Sciences alumni representing different institutions were recognised at the 2025 National Science and Technology Forum-South 32 Awards.
Shahida Moosa
Professor Moosa (MBBCh 2004, MMed 2012), who is head of medical genetics at Tygerberg Hospital and professor of medical genetics at Stellenbosch University, was the winner in the Clinical Scientist category.
As a paediatrician she found herself drawn to children with complex, unexplained conditions, many of these with an underlying genetic basis: “I became acutely aware early in my career of the stark inequities patients face across the country While the rest of the world embraced genomic medicine, I was limited to outdated tests that often didn’t reflect our population’s diversity ”
Rachael Dangarembizi
Dr Rachael Dangarembizi (MSc Med 2012, PhD 2018) is a senior lecturer in the Department of Human Biology and a neuroscientist in the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cape Town. She was named the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher winner
“Growing up in Southern Africa, I witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of HIV-associated infections. We lost family and friends. I believe in the power and potential of science to generate solutions and have dedicated my career to tackling one of the biggest challenges that Africa has and continues to grapple with today,” she says Read more
Professor Gareth Seaward (MBBCh 1979, MMed 1990) awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Professor Seaward has made a lasting impact on obstetrics and
gynaecology in Canada through his excellence in clinical practice and medical education. A professor and a global leader in maternal-fetal medicine, he served for 20 years as Deputy Director of the fetal medicine unit at Mount Sinai Hospital. He also held key roles at the Provincial Council for Maternal Child Health, helping shape tools and guidelines that continue to support high-quality perinatal care across Ontario
Professor Laurie Geffen (MBBCh 1960) published an article in the Queensland Historical Society Journal titled on A Queenslander who revolutionised the study of human evolution: A Personal Memoir of Raymond Dart. Read the full original article in the Queensland History Journal, vol 26, no 3, August 2025
Dr Vivien Chebii receives Wellcome Early Career Award to study whether mental illness and cardiometabolic disorders share genetic pathways.
In Africa, 150 million people live with hypertension million with diabetes, and over 40 million battle depression or bipolar disorder
“In Africa, the twin burden of mental illness and cardiometabolic disease is a silent crisis,” says Dr Vivien Chebii, a researcher at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) who wa awarded the prestigious Wellcome fellowship
Professor Helen Rees awarded the WHO’s 2025 Dr Lee Jongwook Memorial Prize for her significant contributions to public health
Dr Mahtaab Hayat named the Sowetan’s Women of the Year for leading the first African genetic population-specific study on breast cancer biomarkers in Black South African women
Dr Courtney Olwagen awarded the Wits University Faculty Research prize for research excellence in publication
This dual burden of the diseases is particularly challenging, says Chebii, as one condition may exacerbate the other Those who live with poor mental health face an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases and vice versa.
The Wellcome fellowship, therefore, enables Chebii to uncover whether one possible gene in African populations can affect multiple disorders, like depression and cardiometabolic diseases. Emerging studies show they share biological mechanisms such a disrupted stress pathways, circadian rhythm chaos an chronic inflammation
“This fellowship will fill an important gap in our research. It provides a crucial foundation for future studies exploring genetic traits across multiple conditions, ultimately paving the way for better clinical care,” says Chebii. Read more
Professor Pamela Michelow awarded the Maurice Goldblatt Award to recognise her contributions to cytopathology, especially in LMICs
Professor Alisha Wade elected as the clinical co-Chair of the Research Affairs Core Committee of the Endocrine Society and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians
Ngoni Ngwarai awarded the SADC-region Research Management and Administration.
Aviwe Mgobozi received the AMEE Research Paper Award for her PhD research study titled “Exploring the influence of professional socialisation on the professional identity development of Clinical Associates using critical theory”
Ass.
Dr
Dr Sterne Received the Rarely
The rarely awarded P-rating is a 'Prestigious Award' P-rated researchers are considered likely to become future international leaders in their respective fields, based on exceptional potential demonstrated in research performance and output during doctoral and/or early postdoctoral careers.
A P-rating is assigned to researchers (usually under the age of 35 years) who have held a doctorate or equivalent qualification for less than five years at the time of application These researchers also show great potential to become A or B-rated researchers within five years.
Africa carries the highest burden of mosquitoborne diseases in the world, with climate change accelerating the spread of disease-carrying vectors.
South Africa had a malaria outbreak from 1999 to 2000 that quickly spread from neighbouring countries, leading to a significant regional surge Environmental conditions were one of the key contributing factors to the epidemic, highlighting the need to predict future outbreaks and high-risk areas through surveillance and ecological modelling. South Africa is also endemic to several mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley Fever that can cause annual epidemics and large outbreaks in humans and animals following climatic events, but cases are often missed and remain under-reported.
Wits University researchers have partnered in the continent’s first interconnected mosquito observatory network, VectorGrid-Africa, which has launched in five countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, and Madagascar
Critical Gaps in Mosquito Control in
The €6.1 million initiative is funded by the EU’s HORIZON/EDCTP programme and led by the University of Glasgow. It will establish advanced monitoring sites to collect high-quality, openaccess data on mosquito species and environmental factors influencing vector dynamics. This will help identify mosquito species that are susceptible to transmitting diseases—a function that will aid in fast-tracking disease forecasting.
Wits scientists Professors Lizette Koekemoer, Research Professor at the Wits Research Institute for Malaria (WRIM), and Distinguished Professor and research chair Marietjie Venter (Division of Emerging Viral Threats, One Health Surveillance and Vaccines (EViTOH), will lead the South African node of the project. The operations will take place in strategically selected sentinel sites in malaria disease-endemic provinces that are mostly concentrated in the warmer regions, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Gauteng, where arbovirus outbreaks are frequently detected.
This research project aims to address the key gaps in mosquito control within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
“Understanding how human behaviour, environment, and other factors read more
WATCH | Senior Researcher at the Wits School of Public Health, Dr Nirvana Pillay, gives insights into her upcoming research project on how young people use hope and aspiration to navigate daily life. She says she’ll use the insights of the Wellcome Trustfunded project to motivate policymakers to address the challenges young people face – from ecological crises to systemic limitations like young unemployment and poverty
Wits University, through its Faculty of Health Sciences and the Integrated Molecular Physiology Research Initiative (IMPRI), has partnered with Promolab (Pty) Ltd T/A Separations to advance biomedical imaging capabilities in Africa. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap between basic science and clinical application, particularly in the study of non-communicable diseases.
This strategic alliance has enabled the deployment of the Leica Microsystems THUNDER Imaging System at Wits University, providing researchers and postgraduate students with access to cutting-edge, globally recognised imaging technology The initiative underscores the Faculty’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence, innovation, and capacity building in health sciences research.
IMPRI is a research initiative that utilises advanced molecular physiology techniques to bridge the translational divide—the gap between laboratory discoveries and their clinical application. Its overarching goal is to deepen understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurological, mental-health-related, and cardiometabolic disorders, which are among the most pressing contributors to the global public healthcare burden.
“To ensure that African research is globally competitive, it is important to build state-of-the-art research infrastructure,” says Associate Professor Sooraj Baijnath, Co-Director of IMPRI.
Leica Microsystems THUNDER Imaging System will provide researchers and postgraduate students with access to world-class imaging technology
This system enables:
Live-cell imaging to observe dynamic biological processes in real time
Thick tissue imaging without sectioning, preserving sample integrity
3D reconstruction of complex biological structures for spatial analysis.
Low phototoxicity and high-speed acquisition, ideal for long-term studies and sensitive samples.
These capabilities will be used in IMPRI’s research projects, which span various pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of non-communicable diseases.
“At Separations, we believe African researchers should not only participate in but lead global scientific innovation. This collaboration with Wits University is a tangible step towards that future,” said Nicolas Queisser, Managing Director of Separations.
The Centre for Health Science Education (CHSE) in the Faculty of Health Sciences hosted its annual Focus Day on Teaching and Learning. With the theme “Unlearning Certainty, Relearning Curiosity,” the event tackled one of the most pressing issues in higher education today: how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the academic environment.
CHSE brought together thought leaders who not only advise their own universities but also contribute to national policies on the appropriate use of AI in health professions education. Through plenaries, interactive sessions, and collaborative discussions, participants were invited to let go of old certainties and rethink their role as educators in a world where students and teachers must learn alongside intelligent technologies.
Embedding AI in Health Professions Education
The day opened with a keynote by Professor Margaret Bearman, Research Professor at the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning (CRADLE) at Deakin University In her talk, "Artificial Intelligence in Health Professional Education: More Than a Tool," Bearman urged educators to see AI as more than a convenient add-on. She says that AI should be defined within a social context for a particular purpose. “People, their contexts and technologies are all interrelated,” she explained, further arguing that technology must be understood as part of an evolving ecosystem as it shapes people as much as they shape it”.
Her talk highlighted the importance of developing evaluative judgement the capacity to recognise what “good” looks like and to know why. She suggests that by integrating generative AI into clinical training, it will "teach students how to deal with situations where AI recommends one course of action and clinical expertise might recommend another” This, she added, read more
As digital transformation reshapes healthcare globally, artificial intelligence (AI) omnichannel platforms are emerging as critical
tools in addressing persistent public health challenges. A study found that adolescent girls and Young women (AGYW), aged between 15 and 24, are twice as likely to be HIV positive – a trend that is observed globally as women and girls of all ages accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections in 2023. South Africa is not different, and innovative digital solutions like the Sister Unathi chatbot are redefining how care is accessed, personalised, and scaled.
These figures call for preventive efforts to be targeted at AGYW, who face unique vulnerabilities in the context of HIV, including limited access to healthcare, social stigma, and gender-based violence. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been implemented in certain geographical areas in South Africa, it has not slowed down rates in this age group This Wits RHI project (Project PrEP) has turned to the use of AI to enhance the understanding of PrEP use among AGYW in real-world contexts
Today’s young people are particular about how, when, and through which channel they access information, opting for internet-based, mobile technology, and social media. A recent study, Exploring Online Health Information–Seeking Behaviour Among Young Adults, found that they look for: credible content, user-friendly design, tailored language, interactive features, privacy, and inclusivity – characteristics that Wits RHI also identified as a factor that influences their success in reaching AGYW for the HIV prevention programme
To meet these expectations, the AI-powered omnichannel Sister Unathi chatbot is a digital tool designed to provide discreet, accessible support across multiple platforms that read the full article
anticipated duration of a study is irresponsible,” argued Snoyman. “Money running out and leaving patients in a medical limbo can have serious health consequences, and researcher have an ethical duty to plan for when funding runs out ”
The impact of AI on the crafting and outcomes of academic and medical research dominated discussions at the 5 Annual Wits SARIMA Carnegie Global Ethics Day Colloquium 2025 held online on 24 July 2025. th
Professor Lynn Morris, Wits Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, told delegates in her welcome address that research and innovation are human endeavours based on the principles of trust, respect, and fairness “A core ethical tenet of research is that it must always be about people,” she said
Looking at vulnerability through this multidimensional lens, the colloquium highlighted the imperative that research must serve all of society, without compromise It must safeguard rights, and the dignity and welfare of research subjects
“Inequity in AI detection tools for teachers can leave students who cannot afford to pay for sophisticated AI packages vulnerable in the same way,” she said, while Jason Gibson of Turnitin told the colloquium, “The workload of instructors has increased exponentially as they try to deploy detection tools to root out the misuse of AI in students’ work ”
Ethics in medical trial funding
Vulnerabilities in medical research due to funding shortfalls or cancellation were exposed by Howard Snoyman of Werksmans Attorneys and Neil Kirby, Head of Legal and Ethics at Discovery.
“Accepting funding that is inadequate to support the
Emeritus Professor Paul Ruff, Chair of Wits’ Human Research Ethics Committee: Medical, as well as Azeem Walele from 2 Military Hospital and Zinhle Makathini from the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC), put forward the case for the protection of vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women, minors, and HIV+ patients in clinical research trials, in a presentation titled Balancing Risk and Inclusion
Drug trials, argues Ruff, should be scientifically, statistically, and clinically appropriate to the needs of the study group. This means that drugs targeting pregnant and lactating mothers should be looking for better maternal-foetal and maternal-child outcomes. Read the full article
By Nelson Aghogho Evaborhene
In May 2025, the WHO adopted a new Pandemic Agreement a landmark step in global health cooperation For Africa, which was hit hard by COVID19, the treaty promises fairer access to vaccines, treatments, and other countermeasures during future pandemics Yet much of the detail, including how equitable access will be enforced, is still to be negotiated This creates both risks and opportunities: unless African countries act together, there is a danger that these promises remain only on paper Turning the treaty into action starts with national strategy and local investment.
In his correspondence, Evaborhene writes that the political will and institutional preparedness to carry out the treaty's goals will ultimately determine its success, not just the language. “Africa has the opportunity and the obligation to lead by example, showing that equity in global health is not only a matter of justice, but one of strategic investment and regional empowerment ” he explains Read the full correspondence
Wits VIDA hosted the Care of the Premature Baby (CoPB) Co-Design Workshop. The event convened 57 experts from 27 organisations across seven provinces, including clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. This gathering was aimed at addressing the urgent challenge of preterm birth in South Africa - a leading cause of neonatal and under-five mortality.
The workshop built on CHAMPS’ findings from nearly 1,500 child death investigations, which revealed that 70% were preventable. Key causes included preterm complications, birth asphyxia, and neonatal sepsis. The workshop consisted of plenary presentations that enriched the discussions with insights from mothers of premature infants, sharing their lived experiences. This was followed by breakout sessions focused on antenatal care, obstetric management, neonatal care, and post-discharge support.
The workshop insights inform the draft chapter on policy recommendations that will be incorporated into the updated National Neonatal Care Guidelines. The chapter outlines a care framework from preconception counselling, encompassing the management of medical co-morbidities and postdischarge follow-up. It emphasises evidencebased interventions, such as breastfeeding support, advocating for exclusive breastfeeding, and making provision for workplace pumping, for example. It also recommends a home visit protocol for community health workers to monitor and support high-risk infants and provide training to detect early danger signs.
Participants collaboratively identified gaps in training, communication, and mental health support, and proposed interventions to improve care pathways. The inclusion of lived experiences enriched discussions and recognised the need for holistic, family-centred approaches.
Preclinical Cancer Modelling in Africa
In a pioneering initiative to advance cancer research in Africa, Professor Pascaline Fru (WITS) and Dr. Uzoamaka Okoli (UCL) cohosted a five-day workshop (May 26–30, 2025), funded by a UCL-WITS Strategic Partnership Grant. Held in the Department of Surgery, the workshop addressed the urgent need for African representation in preclinical cancer modelling.
Bringing together leading scientists, clinicians, and early-career researchers, the event focused on 3D cancer modelling, an emerging area with significant potential to improve translational medicine. Participants from WITS, North-West University, Rhodes University, University of Johannesburg and University of Pretoria, received hands-on training in 3D cell culture techniques, including spheroid development, and data analysis, with an emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Eirini Velliou (UCL) and Dr. Felix Ikuomola (UH Mānoa/WITS), who spoke on the translational relevance of 3D models from a bioengineer and clinician scientist perspective respectively. Plenary presentations by Dr. Nireshni Chellan (SAMRC) and Prof. Mandeep Kaur (WITS) highlighted the development and application of preclinical models for advancing cancer research across Africa.
The workshop fostered interdisciplinary read more
8 October
Seminar by Professor Alessandra Scagliarini
“A living laboratory to operationalise One Health surveillance of climate-related emerging zoonosese”
15h30 l PVT Resource Centre, PVT Building, 29 Princess of Wales Terrace, Parktown RSVP
9 October
Seminar by Dr Sarah Nietz
“Measuring What Matters: Defining Quality Standards for Breast Cancer Care in South Africa” 15h00 l Marie Curie Theatre, Health Sciences Campus, Parktown RSVP
9 October
Guest Lecture by Prof. Silvie Huijben (Arizona State University)
“Selective Pressures and Resistance Evolution in Mosquito Populations: Challenges and Opportunities” 11h00–12h00 (Online)
Register
17 October
Wits Radiology Breast Imaging Symposium 08h30 l Wits School of Public Health Auditorium, Education Campus, Parktown RSVP
20 October
Inaugural lecture - Professor Aletta Millen
“From Treadmills to Toll-Like Receptors: A (Sometimes Inflamed) Journey” 17h00 l Marie Curie Theatre, Health Sciences Campus, Parktown RSVP
6 November
School of Public Health Biennial Research Day
“Accelerating equitable policy and practice through public health research in Africa”
Register
12 November
Inaugural lecture - Professor Philippe Gradidge 17h00 l Marie Curie Theatre, Health Sciences Campus, Parktown
25 November
Faculty Prestigious Lecture by Professors Collen Masimirembwa and Bruce Bassett
"From Data to Diagnosis: Rethinking Medicine in the Age of AI" 17h00 l Health Sciences Campus, Parktown RSVP
Academic Head of Division: Paediatric Cardiology
Associate Professor Hopewell Ntsinjana
MBBCh (Wits), PhD (UCL)
Associate Professor Ntsinjana is the head of Paediatric Cardiology at Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and an Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child health with the School of Clinical Medicine at the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences. He also has a fellowship in Paediatrics (FCPaed) from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and a Certificate in Paediatric Cardiology (Cert Cardiol Paediatrics) from the same Colleges of Medicine
He has published in both local and international Scientific Journals and serves as a reviewer for many local and international journals He is a member of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance imaging, Former President of the Paediatric Cardiac Society of South Africa, and Vice President of the South African Heart Association He previously served as one of the directors and sat on the board of the South African Heart Association.
Head of Department: Physiology
Professor Janette Bester
PhD Human Physiology (Physiology)
Professor Janette Bester is a Full Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Pretoria. With 47 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 22, she has made significant contributions to understanding coagulopathies in noncommunicable diseases such as breast cancer and Type II diabetes Her research is supported by extensive national and international collaborations, including partnerships with Stellenbosch University, North-West University, the University of Western Australia, and the Vienna Medical University.
In addition to her academic and research achievements, Prof Bester serves as Chair of the School of Medicine RESCOM and Deputy Director of the Brain Tumour and Translational Neurosciences Centre, where she continues to promote research excellence and collaborative innovation in the health sciences.
Head of School: Oral Health Sciences
Professor Sindisiwe Londiwe (Londi) Shangase
BDS, MDent (MEDUNSA)
Professor Shangase, South Africa’s first Black specialist in Periodontics and Oral Medicine, has led transformative roles at MEDUNSA, Wits, and UP Her research bridges oral and systemic health, with a focus on HIV and health equity, and she has published widely in national and international journals
With over 30 years of professional experience, she is recognised as a dedicated academic, clinician, and leader who has served provincial and national statutory bodies, professional organisations, institutions and associations. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the advancement of students, colleagues, and the broader profession. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys reading, travelling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
1 Nobel Prize Winner
1 DSI/NRF Centres of Excellence
2 ANDI Centres of Excellence
6 Research Intensive Schools
8 DSI/NRF SARChI Chairs
9 A-rated Scientists
28 Research Entities
123 NRF-rated Scientists