Placing people at the heart of health innovation
Care and science have always been at the heart of the North-West University’s (NWU) healthcare and innovation. It drives us to ask important questions, challenge what is possible and find better ways to address challenges facing society.
Across NWU, researchers, clinicians, students and partners are working together to advance healthcare through innovation, collaboration and evidence-based research. Our work is focused on more than discovery, it is about translating knowledge into solutions that can improve lives, strengthen healthcare systems and contribute to healthier communities.
From laboratories and clinics to communities and classrooms, NWU’s health innovation spans areas such as vaccine development, artificial intelligence and digital health, biomedical research, diabetes in children, brain health and chronic disease management.
And our #HeartbeatOfHealth campaign celebrates these healthcare champions, shares the stories that matter and showcases how we transform healthcare in South Africa and beyond.
Join us on the journey!
Our experts share
People are at the heart of our health innovation and that starts with our experts. Hear why it all started for them!
Stories That Matter
Real stories, real impact. Read the latest on our research, care, and leadership that is transforming healthcare in South Africa.
New hope for depression treatment as researchers test novel compound
For millions of people living with depression, finding the right treatment can be a long and difficult journey. Some medicines fail to ease symptoms, while others have side effects. Now, researchers at the North-West University (NWU) and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia are testing a new compound that could offer another way to treat the illness.
Snakebite pills? Varsity explores life-saving alternatives to antivenom
South Africa records an estimated 250 to 300 snakebite incidences every year, but not all bites are recorded on the official platform, which means the data is incomplete, said Prof Anél Petzer, a pharmacist at the North-West University.
Restoring the human touch: How AI could transform healthcare and patient safety in SA
In an overstretched healthcare system, a missed warning sign or delay can put a patient’s life at risk.
This is not a theoretical concern – it is the reality.
Across South Africa, clinical teams face high patient volumes and overlapping symptoms, making timely and accurate decisions increasingly difficult.
People stay at the heart of it all
The difference is measured first by people living a better, healthier life.
“Nurses choose to be nurses because they love the profession. So, we can do anything with someone that is passionate about the profession.”
“Newborn screening would have changed the amount of damage that was done while he was misdiagnosed. He has lesions on his lungs, which are not reversible. So, he will never optimise his lung function.” – Shamima Poonan
“For my daughter, with congenital hypothyroidism, the statistic is 1 in 4,000. And you never think that you’re going to be the one. You always think: “Oh, one in 4,000. It’s such a small chance.” Or one in 2,000 or one in 10,000. But there has to be that one.” – Roxy Burger
Discover Innovation
We believe that innovation should be designed for the environment in which it is used. We develop for African healthcare priorities.
Healthcare Systems Engineering at the NWU bridges engineering and healthcare.
Born from the realisation that traditional prosthetic care is financially out of reach for most South Africans, Beyond Limits is a growing ecosystem of students, researchers, and engineers.
It All Starts Here.