The SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC) board has apologised to the Ministry of Health and the Ministerial Advisory Committee for recent comments made by its president, Professor Glenda Gray, and says it will institute a fact-finding investigation into the "damage" the comments have caused.

In a letter signed by chairperson Professor Johnny Mahlangu, seen by News24, the board says it will also bar Gray and staff from speaking to the media until the matter of Gray's comments is resolved.

More to follow.