North-West University edges closer to opening medical faculty
The university aims to enrol 50 students as early as 2028 and expand to more than 100 over time.
The North-West University (NWU) took a step closer to its goal of establishing the NWU Medical School after the Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla gave his ministerial support.
According to a statement released on Friday, the university aims to welcome the first students by 2028.
“I am pleased to inform you that the National Department of Health was happy with your university’s initiative of setting up a medical training programme that has unique features of integrating primary health care early into the training of medical doctors.
“I am therefore pleased to provide your institution with my support in principle. This is subject to the North-West University satisfying other steps of the accreditation process,” said Phaahla.
The NWU said the minister announcing his department’s support is a culmination of the work that has been done over the years by the NWU Medical School Task Team.
The task team comprises of members of the NWU Council under the leadership of the chairperson, Bert Sorgdrager, the University management led by the vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWU chancellor, Dr Anna Mokgokong, and members of the North-West provincial government under the leadership of the premier.
The NWU are proposing the following features regarding the NWU Medical School:
- The duration of the programme to be six years. This is divided between a three-year integrated preclinical period followed by three years of clinical training, and thereafter internship and community service.
- Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital complex and affiliated hospitals and clinics in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District to serve as the initial clinical training platform; and
- The initial enrolment to be 50 students and gradually increase to 100 or more over time as the clinical training platform strengthens and expands.
“I am thrilled with the support from the health minister. The task team has done extremely well in ensuring that all stakeholders are on board. This significant milestone gives us the strength and courage to continue to mobilise the necessary partnerships and resources for the NWU Medical School,” stated Sorgdrager.
“The NWU management is ready to present the core details of the curriculum [to relevant departments] for accreditation. The team has already compiled a comprehensive proposal that will be presented early in 2024,” added Tyobeka.
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