The Madibeng Centre for Research (MCR) is celebrating 23 years of advancing healthcare through high-quality, community-driven medical research. Founded in 2001 as a community trust, MCR’s mission has always been to serve the Madibeng community by conducting cutting-edge health research, benefiting residents as well as scientific, business, and administrative partners.
In 2024, MCR experienced significant growth both physically and operationally. The centre expanded its reach with the acquisition of a property adjacent to its current location at 40 Pienaar Street. The new space, secured at the end of 2023, has already begun to accommodate staff and will soon undergo further development into an advanced research facility. This expansion promises to boost MCR’s capacity, enabling the organisation to undertake more ambitious research projects and serve the local community even more effectively.
MCR takes great pride in its workforce, with 75% of its employees drawn from the Madibeng area. Over the years, MCR has provided training and professional development opportunities for local staff, empowering them with specialised skills in clinical trials and research. The team, now 65-strong, has gained invaluable experience working with international sponsors and research organisations.
In 2024, MCR made major strides in clinical research, particularly in the fight against HIV. For the past three years, the centre has participated in the PURPOSE1 study, testing Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable HIV prevention medication. Results published in July 2024 revealed that Lenacapavir prevented 100% of HIV infections in participants—a world first in HIV prevention. Following the positive outcomes, nearly 95% of participants chose to continue using the medication. The sponsor, Gilead Sciences, has committed to providing Lenacapavir to participants until it becomes publicly available in South Africa, helping to protect about 200 young women in the Madibeng area from HIV, thereby enabling them to lead healthy lives, build families, and remain economically active.
MCR is also participating in ongoing research into new HIV treatments, tuberculosis (TB) therapies that could reduce treatment duration from six months to two months, and an innovative TB vaccine. These studies are set to yield results in the coming years, further cementing MCR’s role as a leader in medical research.
In addition to its research efforts, MCR is strengthening relationships with local healthcare providers. In 2024, the centre engaged with general practitioners in Madibeng to improve healthcare services and is continuing its collaboration with the Department of Health. MCR has been instrumental in revitalising the Local Drug Action Committee (LDAC) and launching the Madibeng Substance Use Programme (MaSUP). These initiatives aim to reduce harm and provide support to individuals and families affected by substance use.
On 23 November 2024, MCR hosted its first outreach activity in Lethlabile, providing drug use screening and assistance to residents in collaboration with community organisations. The event was well-received and marked the beginning of a larger, community-based harm reduction initiative. MCR aims to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals affected by substance use by minimising the harm they experience and offering support to them, their families, and loved ones.
MCR has also expanded its partnerships with educational institutions. Since late 2023, the centre has worked with Sefako Makgatho University to provide training for family physician registrars in Community Oriented Primary Care. Future collaborations with the university’s statistics and pharmacy departments are also planned.
Looking ahead, MCR is in discussions with the Department of Health to establish a primary healthcare clinic, which will offer services such as well-baby clinics, vaccinations, and chronic disease management starting in 2025. MCR’s medical team includes doctors who will provide additional care for more complex health issues, ensuring that community members have access to comprehensive medical support.
As MCR prepares for an exciting 2025, it remains focused on advancing research in areas such as heart failure, HIV prevention, and other pressing health concerns facing the Madibeng community and South Africa as a whole. The organisation’s ongoing work promises to contribute to shaping the future of healthcare by developing new treatments, introducing best practices, and improving patient outcomes for those who need it most.