NRF-SAASTA Amplifies Health Research Through Digital Media

Health research presented at the 13th Annual Tshwane Health District Research Conference reached audiences beyond the conference venue through the NRF-SAASTA’s Science Promotion Digital and Multimedia Facility (SPDMF).

Held on 17 and 18 September 2026 at the Tshwane Leadership and Management Academy, the conference brought together researchers, healthcare practitioners and partners to share research aimed at strengthening healthcare services across the district.

The SPDMF team played a key role in documenting the two-day event through professional photography, videography and live streaming, allowing audiences beyond the venue to follow the proceedings and engage with the research being presented.

The conference, held under the theme “Harnessing Data, Research and Technology for a Resilient Health System,” showcased research covering Maternal, Child, Women’s Health and Wellness; Communicable Diseases; Non-Communicable Diseases; and Health Systems.

Event organiser Dr Mpho Moshime-Shabangu, Acting Director: Primary Health Care for the Tshwane District Health Services, emphasised the importance of translating research into better healthcare services for communities.

“We want to improve how we manage healthcare in communities,” she said, highlighting the role of research data in continuously improving the quality of healthcare services provided to communities.

Among the researchers recognised at the conference was Ms Nare Segoale, Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). She secured second place in the Non-Communicable Diseases category for her research, “Beyond seizures: Exploring independent living challenges among people living with epilepsy in rural South Africa.”

Segoale highlighted the need for further research into the social and economic challenges faced by people living with epilepsy, particularly in rural communities.

Researcher Ms Itumeleng Moraba presented her study on the budget impact of implementing a dual HIV/syphilis rapid diagnostic test during the first antenatal care visit in Tshwane District.

Her research explored whether combining the two tests could improve efficiency, reduce costs and make antenatal care more convenient for patients. She explained that while the dual test kit itself costs more, savings can potentially be achieved through reduced testing time and fewer procedures for patients.

The conference also recognised Mr Bokang Moeketsi, who received an award for the third-best oral presentation in the Health Systems category for his research into adult male perceptions and acceptance of available and novel male contraceptives in Mogale City.

His study examined perceptions of condoms, vasectomy and emerging hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods, as well as the influence of cultural and religious beliefs on attitudes towards contraception.

The SPDMF’s involvement added an important communication dimension to the conference, ensuring that the research was not confined to the physical event. Its live-streaming and event-capture work created a record of the proceedings while opening access to audiences unable to attend in person.

The conference demonstrated how research can address real challenges facing communities, from maternal healthcare and infectious disease screening to epilepsy, contraception and health systems.

For NRF-SAASTA, the SPDMF’s contribution underscores the role of digital storytelling in making science more visible and accessible, connecting researchers and their findings with broader audiences beyond the conference room.