Ensuring better health for all
Wits is home to one of the best health sciences faculties on the continent. We develop more specialists than any other university in Africa. Our students train in some of the largest hospitals in the southern hemisphere and work on the frontline with talented, caring healthcare professionals to save lives. Our reach extends to care and treatment in clinics throughout the country, including at the Wits Rural Campus in Mpumalanga which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary and longitudinal research.
Centenary projects:
1. Leading the fight against the coronavirus and infectious diseases
Wits researchers are helping to understand, predict and contain the coronavirus, model and manage the public health and socio- economic impact, and develop protection, treatment and care regimens. The new Wits Infectious Diseases Research Institute and Associated Labs and Programmes will develop capacity to undertake and lead this work.
2. Upgrading teaching and research facilities at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital
The Wits Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Health Complex (to be built at the largest hospital in the southern hemisphere) will enhance the teaching, learning and work experience of the 2 500 joint staff, registrars and students who are based at the hospital.
3. Promoting exercise and sport as the most effective driver of good health
Exercise has been shown to have a greater effect on physical, mental and emotional health than any other factor. Wits Sport and Health (WiSH) will promote sport and exercise medicine at the highest professional levels, across all Wits sporting codes, through to many communities utilising a highly skilled network of clinicians, researchers practitioners spread across Johannesburg, South Africa and the globe.
