Page 12 - Thetha Issue 6

FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Keen interest in new

Medical School

Nelson Mandela University’s Medical School is, for the third year in a row, attracting a high
number of applications, reflecting the popularity of the new programme.
Gillian McAinsh reports.

he Medical School opened on ‘We should be proud’ “Our University values all sections
the University’s Missionvale “As a country and a people we of the Bill of Rights … and while our
TCampus in 2021 with an initial should be proud that we are primary focus rests with Section 29,
cohort of 50, which increased to 80 launching this excellent teaching and Education, the establishment of the
for 2022, and it is hoped the number learning facility,” said Dr Nzimande. Medical School opens the door for
will be increased to 100 for 2023. “It aims to position health education us to focus on Section 27, Health
However, despite this steady to be more responsive to our Care, and Section 11, Life,” said Dr
increase in class size, the six-year country’s health needs … The school Fraser-Moleketi.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor will add to the [number of] health Similarly, Mandela Chair of
of Surgery (MBChB) is already heavily professionals that our country so Council Ambassador Nozipho
oversubscribed. needs to improve our health system.” January-Bardill said the school was a
“To date we have more than 7400 The Chancellor and Chair of clear demonstration of what unity of
applicants who have attempted our Council of Nelson Mandela University purpose could achieve.
online system, with approximately were likewise united in their hopes that “The burdens of COVID-19 have
6500 applicants successfully the first graduates would bring healing disproportionately impacted the
applying. Selections for the MBChB to those in society who need it most. poor – those who live in areas like
qualification will be done in October Chancellor Geraldine Fraser- Missionvale – again highlighting the
and applicants notified thereafter,” Moleketi, a former minister in critical responsibilities we have as
says Faculty of Health Sciences’ President Nelson Mandela’s cabinet, universities, businesses, government
Megan Connelly, Senior Academic cited the affirmative nature of South departments and health care
Administrator: Medical Programme. Africa’s Bill of Rights. institutions.”
As only the second medical
school in the Eastern Cape, and
the tenth in South Africa, it is clear
that the Mandela qualification
is a sought-after course. South
Africa has long had a shortage of
medical professionals – an issue
this programme proactively aims to
help address.
Regional, national and
international stakeholders all praised
the Medical School at its official
launch in November 2021.
Minister of Higher Education,
Science and Technology Dr Blade
Nzimande spoke at the launch in
Missionvale, while messages of
support also came from Minister
of Health Joe Phaahla, Eastern
Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane and
numerous others.

12 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022