Research is a crucial component of the NICD’s activities and is the bedrock to the development of the NICD as a top class scientific institution of international standing.  It is also the key to attracting and retaining scientific staff.

The public health foundations of the NICD govern the direction of research carried out at the NICD.  In general, research is either technology development driven or interventions driven.

The aims of the research carried out by NICD are to address questions relating to the detection of micro-organisms and the detection of factors governing transmissibility and virulence, ecology, epidemic behaviour, distribution and factors affecting distribution, interventions and monitoring of the effectiveness as well as biological resistance to interventions.

Results of research assist in the provision of essential information to health authorities in the understanding of communicable diseases problems in the region as well as to assist in the planning and management of communicable diseases.