• Education

Medical university not registered

- 2023-01-17 10:24:00

Neither the Ministry of Health and Social Services nor the minister is involved in the Windhoek Medical University (WMU) which is marketed as Namibia's first privately owned medical training and teaching hospital project.
Neither the institution nor any of the qualifications in a health-related field that can be obtained here (certificates, diplomas and degrees) are registered with the Health Professions Council in Namibia (HPCNA). The university, which according to its website is in the process of being established at the Khomas Grove Mall in Khomasdal, has reportedly already opened its doors to students for phase 1 training programmes.
WMU also makes it clear on its official website how proud the university is of the local "extraordinary levels of ministerial support received” and includes the ministries of health and finance, as well as the office of the president.
When asked, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula denied that he and his ministry were involved in the university at all. "Mentioning my name and the ministry is possibly an attempt to attract potential students," said Shangula.
According to him, he took up the issue with WMU, who apologized and undertook to remove the relevant section from the prospectus.
After a call from Shangula, WMU's CEO, Kennedy Kauka, issued a written apology to the ministry stating that his name and a statement involving him would be removed immediately. However, by yesterday the website still indicated the project is being driven by Shangula with the support of the private sector, and also that a training hospital with 500 beds will be developed in consultation with the Ministry of Health with specialised clinical departments to facilitate the clinical training of students. Until this is completed, all clinical training will take place at the ministry's hospitals and health facilities, according to the website.
The registrar of the HPCNA, Cornelius Weyulu, said that no training, teaching or practice of any health-related profession may take place without the written approval of the related councils.
"Neither the institution nor the advertised courses have been approved by any of the councils and as required by the related laws," Weyulu said.
The result is that students who register and attend classes here cannot register with any of the boards that fall under the HPCNA. Consequently, they are also not allowed in public and private hospitals and health facilities in the country for practical training.
Weyulu warns that students will not be able to register with the HPCNA or be allowed to practice the profession in Namibia upon completion of their relevant qualifications at WMU.
WMU claims on its website that the establishment of the institution has the full support of national authorities under legal registration with all national regulatory frameworks including the national council of higher education (NCHE), the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA), as well as the HPCNA.
"This means that the programs introduced in Namibia at the WMU are already registered and accredited nationally and regionally in West Africa and Europe," according to the website.
WMU further claims that it is one of the "very best providers of modern and specialized universities" in Namibia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). According to WMU, all qualifications are supported by the Girne American University (GAU) in Cyprus, the American University of Moldova (AUM) as well as the Kaduna State University (KSU) in Nigeria.
The private university is a subsidiary company of Mordecai Investment Group (Pty) Limited which is registered in Namibia and is being developed under a corporate structure under the Ministry of Finance.
Inquiries to the available number on the website were answered with "we'll call you back".
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