South Africa will be welcoming a new medical school after North-West University (NWU) received approval from Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla for an innovative programme that intends to revolutionise how future doctors are trained.
Phaahla’s backing is the result of persistent efforts by the NWU Medical School Task Team, led by Bert Sorgdrager, chairperson of the NWU Council, and supported by key figures including NWU vice-chancellor Professor Bismark Tyobeka and chancellor Dr Anna Mokgokong, said the university.
IOL reports that with this support, NWU will hold discussions with the Minister of Higher Education, Science & Innovation, and the Department of Higher Education (DHET), to finalise details of the NWU Medical School, including curriculum development and accreditation, in consultation with the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
The NWU’s proposal to regulatory bodies includes a community-based and distributed clinical training platform fostering a comprehensive learning environment, with a six-year programme – three years each of integrated preclinical and clinical training, followed by internship and community service.
The programme will start with an initial intake of 50 students, with plans to increase enrolment in the future.
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