Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Nursing Council of Namibia has issued new directives aimed at addressing growing concerns over the quality of nursing and midwifery training in the country, effective from 1 October 2024.
The directives are in response to the rapid increase in nursing and midwifery educational institutions, which has surpassed the capacity of approved training hospitals and health facilities.
The council’s chief executive officer, Cornelius Weyulu, said this has negatively affected nursing and midwifery training and compromised patient safety.
“This contributed to the high unemployment rate among nursing and midwifery graduates,” said Weyulu.
The council has capped student intakes at 50 students per campus annually, with immediate compliance required from institutions.
The council also suspended the approval of new nursing and midwifery programs.
The directive does not apply to new campuses that have received council approval but have not yet started training.
“Non-compliance with the directives by an approved educational institution will result in the withdrawal of its approval by the Nursing Council,” said Weyulu.
Weyulu said as of January 2025, all locally trained nursing and midwifery graduates will also be required to pass a mandatory evaluation before they can register or enrol as practitioners, a move aimed at maintaining the quality of healthcare professionals entering the field.
According to the nursing council database, there are currently eight institutions that offer nursing courses with campuses in Walvis Bay, Outapi, Rundu, Windhoek, Ondangwa, Nkurenkure, Kombat, Katima Mulilo, Oshikango and Oshakati.
In 2019, the government indefinitely suspended the training of nurses at all health training centres countrywide due to a lack of funds.
The health training centres were registered under the ministry of health, with campuses in Windhoek and at Oshakati, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo, Rundu and Onandjokwe hospitals.
They trained nurses and midwives, assistant pharmacists, and environmental health assistants.
At the time, health minister Kalumbi Shangula said the centres are used for the in-service training of existing staff members.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has welcomed the Nursing Council’s decision, with the party’s shadow minister of health and social services, Winnie Moongo, commending the directives as a necessary step to safeguard the integrity of the nursing profession.
“This pivotal action reflects the Council’s responsiveness to the urgent pleas and concerns regarding the proliferation of health institutions that have emerged in recent years,” said Moongo. She added that the introduction of an evaluation test for graduates was “essential in guaranteeing that nursing students possess the requisite skills and knowledge.
Moongo further emphasised the PDM’s support for the measures, calling on stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that the nursing profession remains a respected component of Namibia’s healthcare system.
She also expressed the party’s support for the Council’s decisive actions to limit the yearly intakes.
“By doing so, the Council is taking a significant and principled step towards ensuring that our healthcare system is staffed with qualified and competent professionals who are adequately trained to meet the needs of our communities,” she stressed.
Saima Sheepo, a private sector nurse, said that by testing and evaluating nursing students for skills and knowledge, the incidences of medical negligence will decrease.
“Just imagine how much money the ministry has paid to the victims. We understand that everyone can make a mistake, but sometimes it involves nurses who do not possess the required skills and knowledge,” she said.
