Young Durban health professionals recognised

Young health professionals from Durban have been recognised by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) as trailblazers in health and science.

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE

The SAMRC stated that these young professionals are proving integral to advancing pharmaceutical services and clinical trial operations across SAMRC sites.

Clinical trials involve human volunteers to evaluate new medical interventions. They are a crucial step in the process of bringing new treatments to the public, ensuring safety and effectiveness. They are conducted ethically, approved by regulatory agencies, and require informed consent from volunteers, ensuring their rights, safety, and well-being.

SAMRC President and Chief Executive, Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, said these young professionals represent the energy, resilience, and brilliance of South Africa’s future scientific workforce. “Our young researchers are not only advancing health innovation but also embody the SAMRC's mission to build a healthier nation through research, innovation, and transformation. Their stories are proof that when we invest in youth, we invest in the solutions of tomorrow,” Ntusi said.

Common among the nominees is their desire to serve communities.

Terusha Navsaria, a research clinician/sub-investigator at Phoenix Clinical Research Site (CRS), works on clinical trials under the supervision of a principal investigator.

“We are both medical doctors responsible for the safety of our participants enrolled in these trials. I see participants and assess their safety, determining whether they can continue on the trial and receive study products, reporting of any adverse events, as well as reviewing lab results,” Navsaria.

She also participates in stakeholder meetings by visiting communities and local clinics to share the work of the SAMRC site and the various studies being conducted, properly disseminating information to prevent misconceptions.