The directorate is responsible mainly for the coordination of the research agenda for the country by taking a leadership role in establishing and setting guidelines for research ethics and priority setting. It is also responsible for maintaining public health surveillance systems including the Notifications, HIV surveillance, Maternal and Women's health and daily cholera surveillance. The major projects that it is spearheading are:
- National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa - 2004 - PDF
- National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa - 2003
- Summary Report National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-Prevalence Survey in South Africa - 2002 - PDF
This is a survey that is conducted among pregnant women attending public sector antenatal clinics. It is the cornerstone of the surveillance of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country and has been conducted since 1990. In order to augment data and information around HIV/AIDS the Directorate is currently initiating and implementing plans to extend the surveillance of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
Maternal mortality Surveillance and Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Monitoring
The Directorate, in partnership with the Women's Health and Genetics directorate and the ministerial National Committee for Confidential Enquires into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD), is responsible for the collation and management of the maternal death notification system. The Directorate also manages the TOP monitoring data.
PHC Monitoring
This is a joint function of this Directorate and the Directorate NHIS.
Management and Coordination of health research and ethics processes
This function involves the development of policies for research and ethics management. The Directorate has recently released guidelines for clinical trials. Two Ministerial Committees on Ethics and Essential National Health Research (ENHR) have been appointed. The directorate plays a secretariat function for these committees.
Research Updates
- Volume 6: Issue No. 2, June 2004 - Facilty Research
- Volume 6: Issue No. 1, March 2004 - Child rape
- Volume 5: Issue No. 4, December 2003 - Cancer
- Volume 5: Issue No. 2, June 2003 - Drug abuse
- Volume 5: Issue No. 1, March 2003 - HIV & AIDS
Contact Details:
Director:
Ms Ntombizodwa Mbelle
Telephone (office): 012 312 0960
Fax: 012 312 0784
E-mail: mbellN@health.gov.zaSecretary
Ms Rachael Sanyane
Tel: 012 312 0906
Fax: 012 312 0784
E-mail: sanyaR@health.gov.za
