by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) PhD candidate and part-time junior lecturer, Bontle Jessica Sibiya, has achieved remarkable recognition on both international and institutional platforms for her research addressing critical gaps in our understanding of human papillomavirus (HPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa.
Sibiya was honoured as one of four best oral presenters sponsored by The FEBS Journal at the prestigious International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) “Translational Virology of Oncogenic Viruses: From Epidemiology to Intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa” Symposium, hosted recently by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban. She further cemented her success by securing first place in the Best Oral Presenter (Student Category) at the SMU School of Medicine Research Day, where she presented the same study to a home audience.
The accolades coincide with another major milestone in her academic journey. Sibiya graduated as part of the SMU 2026 Autumn Graduation cohort after completing her MSc in Medicine (Medical Virology), with the award-winning research forming the basis of her master’s degree.
“This recognition is deeply meaningful because it validates years of hard work and highlights the importance of addressing overlooked public health challenges,” said Sibiya. “I am honoured that this research has resonated with both international experts and my colleagues at SMU.”
The symposium was co-hosted by UKZN’s Discipline of Virology at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine and the ICGEB, one of the world’s leading intergovernmental organisations dedicated to life sciences research. The event brought together renowned virologists, oncologists and public health experts from across the globe.
Sibiya’s presentation, titled “Translating Epidemiology into Intervention: Urethral High-Risk HPV Burden and HIV-Associated Immunosuppression Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in South Africa,” examined the relationship between HIV-related immunosuppression and urethral HPV infection in MSM.
The cross-sectional study enrolled 199 participants from Gauteng and North West provinces, settings where no prior published data existed on urethral HPV prevalence among MSM. HIV prevalence in the cohort was 66.3%, and urethral HPV infection was detected in 20.9% of participants, with 16.2% of the cohort co-infected with both HIV and urethral HPV. High-risk HPV genotypes accounted for more than half of all urethral infections, with HPV 16, 18 and 68 among the most common. Notably, 60.0% of urethral infections were caused by genotypes targeted by the nonavalent Gardasil®9 vaccine, highlighting a substantial prevention opportunity for MSM. In South Africa, where HPV vaccination is currently offered only to adolescent girls through the national programme using the bivalent Cervarix® vaccine, these findings underscore the need to consider broader-valent vaccines and gender‑inclusive HPV vaccination strategies that explicitly include MSM in high HIV‑burden settings.
Importantly, the research demonstrated a clear association between declining CD4+ T-cell counts and an increased likelihood of HPV infection, highlighting the impact of HIV-associated immunosuppression on vulnerability to oncogenic HPV.
“The urethra has largely been overlooked as a potential reservoir for high-risk HPV,” explained Sibiya. “Our findings suggest that it may play a significant role in ongoing transmission and cancer risk, particularly in settings with a high burden of HIV.”
The research calls for the integration of urethral HPV screening into routine sexual health services for MSM and the expansion of HPV vaccination programmes, particularly the use of the nonvalent vaccine, among high-risk populations. The study was supervised by Dr Ramokone Lisbeth Lebelo and Dr Varsetile Varster Nkwinika from the Department of Virology at SMU.
SMU researchers believe the study contributes critical evidence needed to inform public health policy and strengthen prevention strategies.
“This work exemplifies the kind of impactful, translational research that addresses pressing health challenges in South Africa,” said Sibiya. “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that scientific evidence translates into interventions that improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of HPV-associated diseases.”
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing health systems innovation through impactful doctoral research aimed at solving some of South Africa’s most persistent healthcare challenges. A newly completed PhD study by Dr Mmabatho Miriam Ndwandwe has introduced a comprehensive governance framework designed to address chronic medicine shortages in public health facilities across the Eastern Cape Province, a problem that continues to undermine patient care and delay progress towards universal health coverage.
Medicine stock-outs remain one of the most critical barriers to effective healthcare delivery in South Africa’s public sector. Despite existing procurement policies and regulatory frameworks, many facilities continue to experience frequent shortages of essential medicines, exposing deep structural weaknesses in governance, accountability and supply chain coordination. Dr Ndwandwe’s research responds directly to this challenge by proposing a practical, evidence-based framework to strengthen medicine governance from provincial to facility level.
At the heart of the study is a clear warning about the systemic nature of the problem. “Medicine shortages in the public health system are not only a supply chain issue, but a governance failure that requires coordinated leadership, transparency and accountability at every level of the system,” said Dr Ndwandwe, highlighting the urgency for structural reform.
Her doctoral research adopted a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, combining quantitative data from 394 healthcare professionals with qualitative insights drawn from 20 in-depth interviews with healthcare managers operating at both facility and provincial levels. The study included nurses, pharmacists and medical officers across clinics, community health centres and hospitals in the Eastern Cape, ensuring a comprehensive view of the health system.
The quantitative findings revealed that more than 70 per cent of respondents reported frequent medicine stock-outs that severely disrupted service delivery. Statistical analysis further showed significant associations between perceptions of stock management and professional category, indicating inconsistencies in how shortages are experienced across different healthcare roles.
The qualitative phase provided deeper insight into the structural drivers of these shortages. Participants identified weak pharmaceutical supply chain systems, fragmented communication channels, poor budget transparency, limited functionality of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs), and inadequate accountability mechanisms as key contributors to ongoing challenges.
“Health professionals consistently highlighted the lack of coordination between procurement processes and facility-level needs,” Dr Ndwandwe explained. “Without functional governance structures and clear accountability systems, even well-designed policies fail to translate into reliable medicine availability.”
Using the World Health Organization’s Good Governance for Medicines (GGM) Model as a guiding framework, the study developed a four-pillar governance model. This includes strengthened leadership and accountability mechanisms, improved transparency in procurement and financial systems, enhanced functionality of governance structures such as PTCs, and improved capacity-building alongside compliance monitoring.
Stakeholder validation confirmed that the framework is both practical and aligned with the National Health Act and international governance standards. Experts noted its strong potential to improve coordination between provincial authorities and frontline healthcare facilities, thereby strengthening the overall efficiency of medicine supply systems.
Dr Ndwandwe, who brings extensive experience in public health leadership, including roles as a hospital Chief Executive Officer and senior provincial health manager, said her work is grounded in practical experience. Her background in pharmacy, supply chain management and health systems governance adds critical depth to the study’s findings and recommendations.
The research concludes that resolving medicine shortages requires more than logistical fixes; it demands a transparent, accountable and fully integrated governance system that connects policy with implementation. The proposed framework offers a realistic and scalable pathway towards achieving this transformation.
SMU emphasised that research of this nature reflects its broader mission to produce knowledge that directly responds to national health priorities. Through rigorous academic inquiry and innovation, the university continues to strengthen South Africa’s health systems and improve access to essential medicines.
As the country works towards achieving universal health coverage, Dr Ndwandwe’s research stands as a significant contribution, demonstrating how SMU continues to shape solutions that improve healthcare delivery and ultimately enhance the well-being of communities across South Africa.
By Tumelo Moila.
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
As cardiovascular disease continues to place an increasing burden on South Africa’s healthcare system, groundbreaking research from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is providing new insights into one of the country’s most complex and under-recognised heart conditions. Newly graduated Doctor of Philosophy (Physiology) graduate, Dr Marilet van Hoogland-van Heerden, has produced significant findings that could help improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) among black South Africans.
Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden’s doctoral study investigated the relationship between hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal function and treatment in a young-to-middle-aged HFpEF population. The research examined 125 patients diagnosed with HFpEF and compared them with 510 participants without the condition, making it one of the most comprehensive community-based studies of HFpEF conducted in South Africa.
HFpEF is a growing form of heart failure closely associated with hypertension and other cardiometabolic disorders. Through detailed anthropometric, echocardiographic, haemodynamic and pulse wave velocity assessments, the study identified significant cardiovascular abnormalities among affected patients.
“The findings revealed that HFpEF in black South Africans is characterised by markedly increased arterial stiffness and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, alongside a high burden of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease,” said Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden.
“These results highlight the urgent need for earlier intervention, improved risk-factor management and treatment strategies that are tailored to the realities of South African communities.”
The study found that both HFpEF and non-HFpEF participants were predominantly middle-aged and obese. However, patients with HFpEF who also suffered from hypertension showed stronger associations with arterial stiffness and structural changes in the heart. Diabetic HFpEF patients demonstrated more severe cardiovascular disease and related complications, underscoring the compounded impact of multiple chronic conditions.
Importantly, the research revealed that current treatment approaches had limited effects on several key clinical markers, suggesting that more targeted interventions may be required to improve patient outcomes.
“The burden of cardiovascular risk factors identified in this population demonstrates the importance of prevention and early management,” Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden explained. “Addressing these risk factors before heart failure develops could significantly reduce disease progression and improve quality of life.”
The findings contribute valuable evidence to a field that remains under-researched in African populations. By providing detailed data on HFpEF within a South African context, the study offers important guidance for clinicians, researchers and policymakers seeking to improve healthcare outcomes.
Among its recommendations, the study advocates for greater emphasis on lifestyle interventions and consideration of newer therapies, including sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, thiazide diuretics and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for high-risk patients.
Beyond the doctoral research itself, Dr van Hoogland-van Heerden has already published two peer-reviewed articles arising from the study and received several prestigious awards from the Physiological Society of Southern Africa and the South African Medical Research Council, including a Best Oral Presentation Award. She currently serves as a lecturer in SMU’s Department of Physiology, where she combines teaching, postgraduate supervision and research focused on heart failure, hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors in African populations.
Her achievement reflects SMU’s growing research footprint and its commitment to generating knowledge that addresses South Africa’s most pressing health challenges. Through innovative, community-focused scholarship, the university continues to advance scientific discovery that not only strengthens healthcare practice but also contributes to improving the health and well-being of communities across the country.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) played a central role in the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 celebrations held at Tshwane South TVET College’s ODI Campus and the Toloane Catchment Area in Hebron/Mabopane. The programme, themed “Skills for the River, Impact for the Planet,” brought together government, academia, and community partners to advance biodiversity conservation, citizen science, and integrated catchment management. The event aligned with Africa Day and marked the soft launch of the Ecological Infrastructure Rehabilitation for Sustainable Livelihoods (EIR4SL) Programme, reinforcing a shared commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
Stakeholders included the Department of Water and Sanitation, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Magalies Water, the Gauteng Department of Environment, the City of Tshwane Water and Sanitation Unit, Tshwane South TVET College, Friends of Toloane NPC, and community structures such as the Toloane Youth Water Network. SMU representatives from the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, including Dr Clarissa Naidoo, Dr Ntebo Lion, Tshegofatso Modise, Letlhogonolo Ntshimane, Pitso Hoffman, Sphiwe Joseph Skosana, and Trevor Bongani Bvuma, contributed across planning sessions, field activities, and public engagement platforms, strengthening multi-sector collaboration in the catchment.
“Biodiversity protection is not theoretical for us—it is a lived responsibility,” said Dr Naidoo. “Through partnerships like this, we are translating science into action that improves water systems, public health, and community resilience.”
SMU contributed significantly to environmental education and citizen science activities, supporting the “Skills for Nature” learning stations, water quality testing, and ecological awareness exhibitions. Students and staff participated in both indoor discussions and outdoor field demonstrations, including river monitoring, invasive species identification, and ecological restoration activities. The university also extended public outreach through SMU FM 97.1 and its institutional communication platforms, ensuring wider community participation and awareness.
“Working in the catchment area allows students to connect environmental science with real-world public health outcomes,” said Dr Lion. “This experience strengthens the link between academic learning and community impact in a meaningful way.”
The programme featured a structured indoor stakeholder session at Tshwane South TVET College, where presentations focused on integrated catchment management, biodiversity conservation, and invasive species control. Outdoor field activities in the Toloane Catchment Area enabled participants to apply theory in practice through environmental clean-ups, river health assessments, and citizen science monitoring. Learning stations showcased water quality monitoring tools, ecological restoration methods, and environmental education resources, while Magalies Water demonstrated a pilot water treatment truck as part of the exhibition.
Modise highlighted the importance of youth participation, stating: “When young people are actively involved in environmental monitoring and restoration, they become long-term custodians of our natural resources. This programme is building that generation.”
Key outcomes included strengthened stakeholder collaboration, increased biodiversity awareness, enhanced youth engagement in environmental programmes, and improved understanding of integrated catchment management approaches. Participants also emphasised the value of indigenous knowledge systems and community-led environmental stewardship as essential components of sustainable ecological rehabilitation.
The International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 programme demonstrated the power of collaborative environmental action across government, academia, and communities. It also reinforced SMU’s growing role in advancing environmental health education, citizen science, and interdisciplinary engagement in real-world ecosystems. Through its active participation, SMU strengthened its contribution to environmental sustainability and public health linkages.
The initiative laid a strong foundation for the expansion of the EIR4SL Programme, positioning SMU and its partners at the centre of future efforts to restore ecological infrastructure, build climate resilience, and promote sustainable community livelihoods across the Tshwane catchment region.
By Tumelo Moila
by Lorato | Jun 3, 2026 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to assert its growing global footprint, as MBChB IV student Freddy Kunene returns from a transformative international experience at the Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN), held in Seoul, South Korea. His participation marks a significant milestone not only in his personal academic journey but also in SMU’s broader mission to produce globally engaged health sciences graduates capable of shaping international dialogue.
Kunene was selected through a competitive process that considered both academic excellence and leadership capacity, making him one of only two South Africans in the programme and the sole representative from SMU. Supported by the School of Medicine, the Student Affairs Directorate, and the Internationalisation Directorate, his selection reflects SMU’s commitment to expanding access to high-impact global learning opportunities.
Organised by the International Global Network (IGN), AWMUN brings together young leaders aged 15 to 25 from across the world to simulate United Nations councils and debate urgent global challenges such as disease outbreaks, climate change, and international development. The programme is designed to strengthen diplomacy, public speaking, negotiation, and cross-cultural collaboration skills in future global leaders.
Reflecting on the experience, Kunene described it as a defining moment in his academic and personal development.
“AWMUN is a global programme that brings together student leaders from across the world to engage in dialogue on pressing global issues, including disease outbreaks, climate change, and other challenges affecting humanity. I was fortunate to be selected to participate in this programme, an opportunity made possible through the support of the Office of the School of Medicine Deanery under the leadership of Prof Chauke, the Office of Student Affairs under Mr Nkuntse, and the Office of Internationalisation under Dr Jooste,” he said.
At just 20 years old, Kunene experienced international travel for the first time, navigating unfamiliar environments while representing both South Africa and SMU on a global stage. The experience, he said, pushed him far beyond his comfort zone and reshaped his confidence.
“This experience was truly life-changing. It pushed me far beyond my comfort zone — navigating new languages, unfamiliar food, and an entirely different environment. Even the memory of my first flight still stands out as a moment of both excitement and disbelief. Through it all, I learned, adapted, and grew,” he added.
Beyond formal debates, Kunene highlighted the value of building international networks with fellow delegates, noting that these connections will continue to influence his academic and leadership journey.
One of the most memorable highlights came during the closing gala dinner, where he received recognition for best dressed after proudly wearing IsiXhosa traditional attire. The choice, he said, was intentional and deeply symbolic.
“For the event, I carefully selected IsiXhosa traditional attire after reflecting on South Africa’s rich cultural diversity and asking myself which outfit would stand out while honouring my identity. Wearing it made me feel confident and deeply connected to my roots,” he explained.
He added that the moment carried broader significance. “Standing on that stage meant more than recognition — it symbolised a dream realised. It felt like I was carrying the hopes of my ancestors, proving that our voices belong in global spaces too.”
Kunene’s achievement reinforces SMU’s vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation, while strengthening its institutional values of leadership, excellence, and ubuntu. His journey demonstrates how SMU continues to empower students to transcend local boundaries and engage meaningfully in global academic and professional spaces.
As SMU advances its mission of producing socially responsive and globally competitive health professionals, stories such as Kunene’s affirm that its students are not only participants in global conversations — they are active contributors shaping them.
By Tumelo Moila
