The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in addressing the growing health risks associated with air pollution.
The agreement brings together environmental and public health experts to enhance research, policy development, health impact assessments, air quality monitoring, data sharing, and public awareness. The partnership aims to ensure that environmental policies and decisions are increasingly informed by scientific evidence on the health impacts of poor air quality.
Air pollution remains one of the leading environmental threats to public health and has been linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and premature death. Communities living near industrial areas, power stations, busy transport routes, and informal settlements are among the most affected.
Deputy Director-General for Climate Change and Air Quality Management, Maesela Kekana, said the partnership demonstrates government’s commitment to protecting both the environment and public health.
“Clean air is fundamental to the health and well-being of all South Africans. This partnership enables us to strengthen the scientific foundation of our air quality policies and interventions by drawing on the SAMRC’s world-class health research expertise,” he said.
SAMRC President and CEO Professor Ntobeko Ntusi said the collaboration underscores the vital role of research in addressing complex public health challenges.
“The health effects of air pollution extend far beyond environmental concerns and represent a significant public health challenge,” he said.
Ntusi added that the partnership’s shared goal is to ensure “research translates into policies and actions that protect lives, reduce health inequalities, and improve quality of life for all South Africans.”
The collaboration is also expected to strengthen South Africa’s response to broader environmental health challenges, including climate change, while placing community health at the centre of future environmental policy.
VOC News
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