Message from Executive Director
We are proud to share the latest issue of Pulse, the NICD’s newsletter, bringing you the most recent news, updates, and highlights from across the Institute. This edition has something for everyone – from major announcements and scientific discoveries to collaborations, training initiatives, and notable achievements.
Our cover story celebrates a significant milestone: the NICD’s designation as an Africa CDC Centre of Excellence. The establishment of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) across the continent marks an important step forward in strengthening public healthcare, and we are honoured to contribute to this initiative.
Another exciting achievement we highlight is the installation of a state-of-the-art sequencing machine at the NICD’s Sequencing Core Facility. With this cutting-edge technology, we can enhance genomic surveillance and accelerate public health advancements.
Research remains at the heart of what we do. In this issue, we feature two key research initiatives. The first, a collaboration with multiple partners, reveals that cash and counselling interventions can improve TB outcomes by 50% – a crucial finding given the impact of economic and behavioural factors on treatment success.
The second initiative, led by the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology in partnership with the Gauteng City-Region Observatory, explores how wastewater monitoring can provide insights into population dynamics across Gauteng communities. These findings reinforce the growing importance of wastewater-based epidemiology in shaping public health strategies.
In training and development, we highlight various initiatives NICD staff have participated in during the third quarter of the current financial year.
Finally, we profile Sister Ida Jordaan, our Occupational Health Nurse, who shares insights into her role in keeping our team healthy.
We hope you find these stories both inspiring and insightful.
