MPs warn of ‘dangerous’ mushrooming nursing schools
\'The law is in place; it just needs to be implemented\'
Affirmative Repositioning (AR) MP Haikali Ishiwa has raised concern in parliament about the unchecked mushrooming of nursing and health training institutions in Namibia, warning that the trend is “too dangerous to ignore.”
Ishiwa accused some schools of prioritising profit over proper training, saying this undermines public trust in the country’s healthcare system.
“Our health system cannot function without public trust. When disasters strike – as during the COVID-19 pandemic – it is a robust, well-trained workforce, not profit motives, that saves lives,” she said.
She pointed out that the Health Professions Act of 2024 already provides a framework to regulate health education, but enforcement has been weak.
“The law is in place; it just needs to be implemented,” she cautioned.
Full investigation
Her remarks were made during a debate on a motion tabled by PDM MP Winnie Moongo, which called for a full investigation into the rapid proliferation of health schools across the country.
Independent Patriots for Change shadow health minister Lilani Brinkman described the situation as a “national crisis,” citing her personal experience at an unregistered institution.
“What was supposed to be a two-year course turned into four uncertain years,” she said.
Brinkman warned that hundreds of students are graduating with diplomas that may never be recognised, while hospitals continue to rely on foreign professionals.
“Our health professionals are not just workers. They are caregivers. They are frontline defenders of life. They deserve systems that protect their rights and a government that values their contribution,” she said.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp backed the motion, noting that while reforms in 2004 allowed private institutions under strict standards, the proliferation of schools has now become a risk to patient safety.
“Honourable members, what began as an attempt to meet growing demand for nurses has now become a cause for concern due to the rapid proliferation of training centres,” she said.
Qualified lecturers
She outlined that curricula must be approved by the nursing council and registered with the NQA, with institutions required to employ qualified lecturers and clinical instructors. However, she admitted oversight remains stretched.
“The NQA’s limited resources restrict nationwide oversight. More critically, clinical training capacity remains inadequate. We are seeing students without proper supervision and even cases of forged logbooks. This undermines the integrity of the profession and jeopardises patient safety,” Steenkamp said.
Lawmakers agreed that urgent intervention is required, calling for strict enforcement of existing laws, closer collaboration between regulators, and greater transparency about accreditation.
They warned that without decisive action, substandard schools will continue to weaken the healthcare workforce and put patient lives at risk.
Ishiwa accused some schools of prioritising profit over proper training, saying this undermines public trust in the country’s healthcare system.
“Our health system cannot function without public trust. When disasters strike – as during the COVID-19 pandemic – it is a robust, well-trained workforce, not profit motives, that saves lives,” she said.
She pointed out that the Health Professions Act of 2024 already provides a framework to regulate health education, but enforcement has been weak.
“The law is in place; it just needs to be implemented,” she cautioned.
Full investigation
Her remarks were made during a debate on a motion tabled by PDM MP Winnie Moongo, which called for a full investigation into the rapid proliferation of health schools across the country.
Independent Patriots for Change shadow health minister Lilani Brinkman described the situation as a “national crisis,” citing her personal experience at an unregistered institution.
“What was supposed to be a two-year course turned into four uncertain years,” she said.
Brinkman warned that hundreds of students are graduating with diplomas that may never be recognised, while hospitals continue to rely on foreign professionals.
“Our health professionals are not just workers. They are caregivers. They are frontline defenders of life. They deserve systems that protect their rights and a government that values their contribution,” she said.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp backed the motion, noting that while reforms in 2004 allowed private institutions under strict standards, the proliferation of schools has now become a risk to patient safety.
“Honourable members, what began as an attempt to meet growing demand for nurses has now become a cause for concern due to the rapid proliferation of training centres,” she said.
Qualified lecturers
She outlined that curricula must be approved by the nursing council and registered with the NQA, with institutions required to employ qualified lecturers and clinical instructors. However, she admitted oversight remains stretched.
“The NQA’s limited resources restrict nationwide oversight. More critically, clinical training capacity remains inadequate. We are seeing students without proper supervision and even cases of forged logbooks. This undermines the integrity of the profession and jeopardises patient safety,” Steenkamp said.
Lawmakers agreed that urgent intervention is required, calling for strict enforcement of existing laws, closer collaboration between regulators, and greater transparency about accreditation.
They warned that without decisive action, substandard schools will continue to weaken the healthcare workforce and put patient lives at risk.
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