NWU will establish new medical school to improve healthcare

After thorough planning, the North-West University (NWU), in partnership with the North West Department of Health, is set to establish a medical school aimed at producing top-tier medical graduates. This initiative comes at a critical time as South Africa faces a severe shortage of medical doctors, as outlined by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The scarcity of doctors poses significant risks to the country’s healthcare and economic sectors, which are already strained. Currently, South Africa has only 0.37 doctors per 1,000 people in the public sector, falling far short of the WHO’s recommended minimum of one doctor per 1,000 people.
The NWU Medical School aims to alleviate this challenge and revolutionize healthcare in the country. An estimated 70,000 to 80,000 additional doctors are required to address the existing shortfall, a task that, given the current rate of medical graduates, could take more than 40 years to accomplish, without factoring in population growth.
By establishing South Africa’s 11th medical school, NWU will also bolster the number of doctors in the North West province, where there are only 0.21 doctors per 1,000 people, a figure that demands urgent intervention.
Prof. Petra Bester, director of the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) and head of operations for the NWU Medical School project team, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond producing qualified medical professionals. She stated, “For NWU, it’s about addressing the healthcare needs of North West, South Africa, and the continent. This medical program represents our most comprehensive and intricate endeavor to date.”
Prof. Bester further added, “Our objective with the medical school is to cultivate highly skilled general practitioners capable of supporting the district health system. We aim to produce community-oriented medical graduates equipped with the knowledge and expertise to address the health needs of their communities effectively.”
Professor Awie Kotzé, executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, elaborated on NWU’s vision, stating, “The NWU Medical School will position NWU, the province, and the country as pioneers and innovators in shaping a modern medical curriculum tailored to the health challenges of the 21st century.”
NWU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, recognized for its excellence in training pharmacists, nurses, dieticians, biokineticists, psychologists, and social workers, provides a solid foundation for the new medical school.
Prof. Binu Luke, project lead of the NWU Medical School and chief specialist physician and technical adviser in the North West Department of Health, highlighted the array of career opportunities this initiative presents for prospective students. He remarked, “Healthcare provision is multifaceted, spanning various levels and sectors. Graduates will have the opportunity to pursue careers in clinical practice, research, health governance, pharmaceuticals, international health, and more.”
Education at the NWU Medical School will blend traditional and innovative teaching methods, incorporating hands-on experience in health facilities across the province.
Prof. Bester concluded, “With ongoing health improvements in the province and the establishment of the NWU Medical School, we anticipate significant contributions to an efficient healthcare system.”