Wits RHI was established by Prof Helen Rees in 1994 to support the new South African government formulate and implement new national policies around sexual and reproductive health.

Today we are a leading multi-disciplinary research institute with a focus in sexual and reproductive health, vaccine and infectious diseases, and other emerging issues we lead and deliver successful research projects with an impact in the communities we serve. We have leveraged our presence internationally in initiatives to curb the impact of COVID-19 in South Africa.

Our areas of work

Pioneering, multi-disciplinary research
Responsive technical support and innovation in health services
Good participatory practice
Teaching and capacity building
Developing African researchers
Evidence-based policy development and advocacy with national, regional and global stakeholders

Wits RHI is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the largest research institute of the University of the Witwatersrand. We are a UNAIDS, World Health Organization (WHO) and South African Medical Research Council (MRC) collaborating centre as well as a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) strategic partner.