Science in service of health: WHO and CSIR explore collaboration for Africa
Pretoria, South Africa. A visit by WHO Regional Director for Africa Professor Mohamed Janabi to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research highlighted how African science, technology and partnership can help strengthen health security and build more resilient health systems.
Professor Mohamed Janabi, Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, met senior leaders of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at its Pretoria campus during an official visit to South Africa. The engagement focused on how the CSIR’s scientific capabilities and WHO’s public health mandate could be brought closer together to support health security, stronger health systems and locally driven solutions across the African Region.
He was received by Dr Rachel Chikwamba, CSIR Group Executive for Advanced Chemistry and Life Sciences, and other CSIR leaders. Their discussions provided an overview of the institution’s research portfolio and opened a practical conversation about where its technologies, infrastructure and expertise intersect with public health priorities.
Founded through an Act of Parliament in 1945, the CSIR undertakes directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation to advance South Africa’s social and economic development. Its work spans health and agro-processing, advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, energy, water and environmental sustainability—areas that increasingly shape health outcomes, preparedness and resilience.
Throughout the visit, the Regional Director heard about capabilities ranging from pilot plants and materials research to high-performance computing and specialised testing infrastructure. The breadth of the work demonstrated that many of today’s health challenges cannot be solved by the health sector alone. Data science, engineering, manufacturing, climate research and advanced materials can all help countries detect threats earlier, improve access to essential products and design services that respond to local needs.
Health-focused discussions covered disease surveillance, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, formulation technologies and local manufacturing. Participants also considered the potential contribution of materials science, health systems research and decision-support tools. These areas are relevant to efforts to improve access to health products, strengthen emergency preparedness and translate research into solutions that can be used at scale.
Dr Chikwamba stressed the importance of building strategic capabilities that would enable African institutions to respond more effectively to current and future health challenges. The conversation identified areas that WHO and the CSIR could explore further, grounded in their respective mandates and the needs of countries.
The discussion also reflected Professor Janabi’s vision for a healthier, more resilient and prosperous Africa, supported by equitable, innovative and sustainable systems. His priorities as Regional Director include advancing universal health coverage; reducing maternal and child mortality; addressing communicable and noncommunicable diseases; strengthening climate-resilient health systems; improving emergency preparedness and health security; and promoting research and innovation that responds to African needs.
While at the CSIR campus, which hosts the WHO South Africa Country Office and the WHO AFRO Pretoria Hub, Professor Janabi also met staff in a town hall-style session. He thanked colleagues for their dedication and professionalism during a difficult period for WHO and the wider United Nations system, while urging the team to remain focused on results and measurable impact for countries and communities.
The Regional Director spoke candidly about the financial constraints affecting WHO, including its reliance on voluntary contributions. He acknowledged the personal and professional impact of recent workforce changes across the African Region and said the WHO must continue improving its financial sustainability, efficiency and performance.
Alongside this call for accountability, Professor Janabi placed strong emphasis on organisational culture. He emphasised the importance of unity, inclusion and mutual respect across the WHO workforce. Collaboration, attendance, productivity and personal responsibility, he said, are essential to a high-performing organisation that remains responsive to Member States.
He also encouraged open communication between staff and leaders, stronger engagement with Staff Associations and safe spaces for dialogue and feedback. Reiterating WHO’s zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and abuse of authority, he called for a workplace in which people can contribute with dignity and mutual respect.
The two meetings carried a common message: science delivers its greatest value when strong institutions and people work together around clear public health needs. For WHO, closer dialogue with a national research organisation such as the CSIR can help connect policy and technical guidance with home-grown scientific capability. For the CSIR, engagement with WHO offers a route to consider how innovation can respond to health priorities across countries and communities.
Together, the two engagements highlighted how strong partnerships, scientific expertise and committed people can contribute to stronger health security and more resilient health systems in South Africa and across the African Region.
