By REGINALD KANYANE
24 June 2024- The North West Health Department in partnership with the North West University (NWU) today hosted a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). The department, together with NWU has embarked on a journey to establish the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine and the process is at an advanced stage.
Hailed as a beacon of hope, the School of Medicine is envisioned to produce a high calibre of medical professionals who will assist in the development and acceleration of healthcare services upon qualification. While expressing the university’s commitment to the MoU, the NWU Principal and Vice Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said the occasion represents a formal expression to a relationship rooted in mutual purposes.
“We commit to this MoU because we are determined to equip the medical profession. So this procedural milestone is an embodiment of public private collaboration in service of the public good,” said Tyobeka.
Meanwhile, in his keynote address, the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari labelled the School of Medicine a compelling and urgent need.
“By establishing our own medical school, the North West Province is stepping up to be part of the solution. We are investing in a pipeline of home-grown health professionals who understand our communities, the language of our patients, our challenges and who will be more likely to remain and serve here.
“The objective of this milestone is that I call it a game-changer, catalysing socio-economic development across the province. The significance of placing a medical school in a predominantly rural province cannot be overstated. Rural areas are often underserved, not only in terms of infrastructure and resources but also in the availability of skilled health workers,” he said.
Lehari further said a medical school in the North West will contribute to rural retention, improve health equity and promote research focused on the specific health challenges of our communities. He added that there is a need to start confidently by believing that the medical school will contribute to advancements in healthcare by conducting ground-breaking studies that will lead to new treatments, technologies and understanding of diseases.
“I also believe that this medical school’s collaboration with our hospitals and clinics will translate research into real-world solutions, thereby directly improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of medicine.
“We highly appreciate the NWU management for their steadfast engagement, through complex consultative processes that reflect a potential of strong public partnerships,” said Lehari.
The Guardian 