Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

The division is responsible for the delivery of a comprehensive clinical microbiology and infectious diseases diagnostic and consultative service to academic (teaching) hospitals. The influence of the division extends to promoting high quality microbiology and infection control and prevention services throughout South Africa. 

Staff are involved in the training of undergraduate students (medical, dental, pharmacy and nursing) and medical technologists. Postgraduate courses include training programmes for scientists (Masters and PhD degrees), the Diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, and specialist training programmes for registrars wishing to specialise in clinical microbiology.

The mission of the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases is to strengthen the disciplines of microbiology and infectious diseases, and positively impact on the diagnosis, treatment and control of infectious and communicable diseases.

We aim to achieve this through competent and highly qualified professionals, state-of-the-art technology and internationally recognized research. The Department is committed to the establishment of the first specialty fellowship training model in Infectious Diseases for South Africa and the continent.

Maximizing healthcare delivery to the nation is of highest priority to the division, as well as playing a leading role in confronting the problems of infectious diseases in Southern Africa through education and training of all categories of health care students and professionals, research into preventive and control strategies, and the provision of services to affected patients and their families.