Congratulations to Prof. Pakiso ‘Parks’ Moses Makhoahle on his new appointment as a member of the Provincial Health Research Committee of the Free State Department of Health (PHRC-FS) for the term 2025-2028.

Prof. Makhoahle is a Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Technology, in the Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. He is a recognised Golden Key International Honour Society member, celebrated for his academic excellence and leadership in biomedical research.

His new role involves overseeing the implementation and quality of health research conducted in the province. He will also ensure that health research agendas and resources are aligned with priority health issues, advise the MEC on applying and implementing an integrated national strategy for health research, and coordinate research activities among public health authorities.

Reflecting on his appointment, Prof. Makhoahle said "I feel deeply humbled, grateful, and inspired by this appointment. It is both a recognition of my contribution to research and a call to serve with greater commitment. I see this opportunity as a platform to work collaboratively with other professionals to shape a healthier, research-informed future for the Free State."

He added that he is eager to learn, contribute, and serve with integrity, diligence, and purpose. “This appointment is not just a personal milestone but a professional responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of health research in the province. The committee’s mandate to guide, align, and oversee research initiatives within the framework of national and provincial legislation speaks directly to the importance of evidence-based policymaking. As a member, I will be expected to support the coordination of research activities, ensure focus on priority health issues, and contribute towards the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for health research,” said Makhoahle.

As a scientist and academic, his role will extend beyond governance; it will involve translating rigorous academic research into actionable strategies that will improve public health outcomes. “I intend to contribute by ensuring that the health research undertaken in the province is ethically sound, contextually relevant, and responsive to the lived realities of our communities. I also aim to foster stronger collaborations between higher education institutions and the Department of Health to ensure that academic insights directly inform service delivery and health system reform.”

Asked if the Free State health system is there yet as compared with other counterparts? Prof. Makhoahle said the Free State province has made strides in many health indicators. “We must acknowledge that there is still room for growth when compared to other provinces. Systemic issues such as infrastructure gaps, human resource shortages, and limited integration of data-driven research remain. My plans to help bridge these gaps include advocating for research that not only highlights these challenges but also proposes innovative, locally grounded solutions. Furthermore, by mentoring emerging scholars and health practitioners, I hope to build capacity for sustainable improvement.”

He added that among the directives outlined in the appointment letter, the one that resonates strongly with him is -ensuring that the health research agendas and research resources focuses on priority health problems. “This directive aligns with the urgent need to direct limited resources towards the most pressing health challenges affecting our communities. As a priority, I will champion inclusive stakeholder engagement to ensure that research topics reflect real community needs and promote health equity.”

Makhoahle holds a BSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology, a B.Med.Sc Hons in Medical Microbiology, and an M.Med.Sc in Medical Microbiology and Virology from the University of the Free State. He further obtained a Doctorate in Health Sciences (Biomedical Technology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education from the Central University of Technology (CUT).

He is currently undertaking a second doctorate in Education, further deepening his scholarly engagement and contribution to the advancement of higher education. Hs current research is at the cutting edge of biomedical science, with a particular focus on the anti-cancer and splicing activities of natural products, genotoxicity, and strategies to prevent mycotoxin-induced carcinogenicity, where he is collaborating with leading scientists from the University of the Free State, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and the WHO-Lesotho HIV Hub Initiative. As a registered Medical Biological Scientist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Prof. Makhoahle is actively involved in disease monitoring and profiling bacterial resistance patterns. He has successfully supervised five master's students to completion and is currently supervising eight master’s and four PhD candidates. His scholarly output includes over 50 peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter.

A multi-award-winning academic, Makhoahle has served as a reviewer for the National Research Foundation (NRF), postgraduate examiner for multiple universities, and recipient of several Vice-Chancellor’s Awards. In 2024, he was selected as one of 52 participants nationwide for the prestigious TAU 5 Fellowship Programme, during which he spearheaded the development of a student financial assessment mobile application.

He played a pivotal role in establishing the CUT Centre for Quality of Health and Living (CQHL), a state-of-the-art facility for biochemistry and tissue culture research.

His professional service extends to membership on various boards and committees. He is a reviewer and editorial board member for several academic journals, represents CUT on the Free State Provincial Health Research Committee (FSPHRC), and was appointed by the Free State MEC for Health as a journal club member. He also serves on the University of the Free State’s Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (HSREC) and the newly established CUT Ethics Committee.

Uploaded: 19 June 2025