The Centre for Health Systems Research & Development (CHSR&D) was established at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1993. The Centre came about due to recognition of a longstanding tradition of research and training in medical sociology/sociology of health and health care in the Department of Sociology. The Centre was founded specifically to meet the dire need for social scientific and operational research and related skills in the field of health and health care.

Since then the Centre has shown unremitting growth and expansion in terms of staffing, projects, the scope and diversity of its research and development activities, and its financial standing. The establishment and development of the Centre has indeed been marked by progressive entrepreneurship within the academic environment. Today the Centre has an established reputation and a continuously expanding market and clientele for its services and products. After ten years of successful operation, the CHSR&D can lay claim to commendable experience and expertise in a number of study fields and methodological approaches.