As in other developing countries, much of South Africa’s healthcare takes place in extremely resource-limited settings. Constraints in human capital, finance, supplies and equipment are just some of the issues to be overcome. The DRILL programme sees creativity and innovation as key elements in the development of locally relevant solutions.

Innovation is key to the DRILL approach,  in this research capacity building programme relates to the use of the decentralized platform that was established as part of the UKZN-MEPI ENTRÉE program (in established sites as Bethesda and Murchison Hospitals). Training the fellows in the real world settings of resource restricted locales, building communities of practice to lead research programmes designed around real world problems outside of metropolitan areas and away from resource abundant tertiary institutions.