South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: health R&D at a glance 2017/18. Fact sheet 24

Abstract

Achieving better health and health care has long been one of South Africa's most pressing national evelopmental priorities, and this is intensified by the coronavirus pandemic. Research and experimental development (R&D) within domains of health related to the burden of disease in South Africa is more vital than ever before. Both public and private sector players, as well as civil society actors, generate the health R&D outputs that the country needs for its present and future needs. This Fact Sheet explores South Africa's health R&D expenditure with one clear message for policy makers: Even though expenditure has been increasing since the end of apartheid, much more health R&D investment will be needed if South Africa is to address its myriad health challenges in innovative ways that protect the well-being of citizens.