CALL FOR ABSTRACTS | EXTENDED TO 15 FEBRUARY

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS & POSTERS

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) will host a three-day SAMA Health Summit 2026, which will unite trailblazers from across the medical landscape to spark innovation, sharing of practical solutions, and driving meaningful change in the health system we all serve.

GUIDELINES

• All abstracts must be written in English.
• All abstracts are submitted for either a possible oral or poster presentation.
• Please proofread your abstracts carefully and check spelling, grammar, and scientific facts before you submit.
• The text cannot exceed 350 words.
• Include a maximum of 6 appropriate keywords.
• The Committee retains the right to change the presentation type and the programme, and will communicate this to the respective author.

FORMAT

Your abstract should clearly indicate the following:

• A brief background of the context of your work/investigation/hypothesis in relation to research around healthcare.
• A summary of the main aspects to be discussed or addressed in your presentation.
• Short/main conclusion resulting from your work/investigation/hypothesis.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Submissions will open on the 01 August 2025.
• Submissions deadline is the 15 February 2026 at midnight (SAST).
• Notification of acceptance/rejection will be communicated by 10 February 2026.

THEMES

“Innovate to Elevate: Transforming healthcare together” is the overarching theme:

• Digital Health Innovations, encompassing technologies like AI and telemedicine;
• Innovations Driving Equity in Healthcare, focusing on projects advancing health equity;
• General Clinical Innovations, covering impactful clinical developments; and
• General Health Research, which includes broader research topics.

Abstracts are open to all health researchers and innovators:

• Academics, postgraduate students, medical registrars, and undergraduate students are encouraged to submit abstracts.
• Industry-based researchers, innovation hubs, innovators and development agencies involved in health innovation and research are invited to submit abstracts.
• Medical device companies, innovative pharmaceuticals and health technology companies, small and medium enterprises, and start-ups are eligible to submit abstracts.

Evaluation process

Abstracts will be evaluated on the significance of the research question, scientific rigour, potential social impact, and ease of implementation, with preference given to work that is original, methodologically sound, socially relevant, and feasible to apply in real-world contexts.