Catalysing health R&D, innovation and access

South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition

life-saving health technologies and innovations The South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition an enabling environment for research, development, and access to Find out more...
The South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC) is a network of nongovernmental organizations seeking to catalyse action on health research and development (R&D) through coordinated advocacy to increase access to lifesaving products, technologies, and innovations.

The purpose of SAHTAC is to advocate for an enabling environment for research, development, and access to life-saving health technologies and innovations. This will increase public awareness on the need for harmonised and improved medicines regulatory; research and development (R&D) systems, influencing change through appropriate policy and budget mechanisms, activating political and social support for these changes, and holding government accountable for their commitments to improving the health R&D landscape in South Africa. SAHTAC is hosted by The Aurum Institute.

Implementation of existing policies related to health R&D.

The South African government has established a robust policy framework for managing, coordinating, and funding R&D.

Implementation of existing policies related to health R&D.

The South African government has established a robust policy framework for managing, coordinating, and funding R&D.

Improved financing for health R&D.

The availability and accessibility of funding for health R&D enables local researchers to grow South Africa’s innovation sector and ensures that research priorities are locally generated. 

Improved financing for health R&D.

The availability and accessibility of funding for health R&D enables local researchers to grow South Africa’s innovation sector and ensures that research priorities are locally generated. 

Bolstered civil society engagement in health R&D.

Civil society can play a critical role in holding the government accountable to commitments and ensuring that health R&Drelated strategies are implemented.

Bolstered civil society engagement in health R&D.

Civil society can play a critical role in holding the government accountable to commitments and ensuring that health R&Drelated strategies are implemented.

Advocates and technical experts

from across the health spectrum understand the importance of R&D in ensuring that health products are available to those most in need.

Advocates and technical experts

from across the health spectrum understand the importance of R&D in ensuring that health products are available to those most in need.

SAHTAC brings these stakeholders together

to elevate this common message and to ensure that health R&D is prioritized as a means of growing South Africa’s economy and guaranteeing a higher quality of life for its people. 

SAHTAC brings these stakeholders together

to elevate this common message and to ensure that health R&D is prioritized as a means of growing South Africa’s economy and guaranteeing a higher quality of life for its people. 

SAHTAC’s Mission

"To advocate for an enabling environment for research, development, and access to lifesaving technologies and innovations."

Research and development (R&D) is critical to ensuring that highimpact, affordable health technologies reach the people who need them most. In lowand middleincome countries, a policy and regulatory environment that encourages innovation can lead to enhanced economic growth and better social outcomes. Moreover, domestic investment in health R&D guarantees that solutions reflect a country’s priority health needs.

The government of South Africa has demonstrated commitment to health R&D, passing a number of policies and strategies aimed at bolstering the country’s innovation agenda. Additionally, government funding for health R&D has increased over the past decade and has met an important international commitment to direct 2 percent of the national health budget to R&D. These policies and commitments should ultimately translate science, research, and technological development into economic growth and a higher quality of life for South Africa’s people—implementation, however, remains a challenge.

Events

SAHTAC at AHAIC 2023

SAHTAC at AHAIC 2023

SAHTAC in partnership with PATH, Coalition for Health Research and Development will host a side event at AHAIC: Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Africa for Global Health Security Date: Monday, March 6, 11:30-1300hrs CAT
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SAHTAC Annual General Meeting 2023

The South African Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 16 and 17 February 2023 at the Cresta Grande Hotel in Cape Town. There were 28 coalition members that attended in person. The guest speaker, Prof Mushi Matjila Professor, Head Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology...
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