IUM nursing students progressing well

The International University of Management (IUM) says it has developed a good clinical nursing curriculum, to ensure that they produce qualified nurses. This is according to the university’s School of Health Science director, Professor Agnes van Dyk. IUM introduced has introduced a four-year bachelor of nursing and honours degree this year. The first intake is 40 students, with 35 females and five males. The university has heeded to Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Richard Kamwi’s call to produce qualified and competent healthcare professionals. Van Dyk told Namibian Sun that to ensure they produce qualified health professional, they have admitted a manageable number of students, which will assist with effective supervision, as well as with teaching and learning. She said the course is made up of nursing course and generic subjects. It is theoretical with a strong practical component, which take place at either private or public healthcare institutions. Van Wyk said the course is progressing well. She said they want to get the first group through the whole course, so challenges can be evaluated and addressed. “The lecturers are on board. The students are doing well. The progress is satisfactory,” said Van Dyk, adding that the students are currently busy with their first semester examinations. Van Dyk said the feedback from the institutions where the students are doing their practical is positive and regular meetings are held. She said the biggest problem now is the spaces available for theory and practical instruction. “In future we might expand the number, depending on the space available.” During an International Nurses Day celebration earlier this month, IUM Vice-Chancellor Virginia Namwandi said statistics from National Planning Commission show that there are two public health professionals per 1 000 people in Namibia, while in private sector there are around eight health professionals per 1 000 people. “But the majority of the population counted in that 1 000 people cannot afford private care. So in reality, to those in the profession it probably feels like there are far less professionals available to help carry the load.” Namwandi further encouraged the students to set good foundations for those who will follow them. “Although we have started with a small class which may, on the surface, look like it will not even make a dent in the country’s current situation, we need to let the nation know that we are very serious. We have every intention of scaling this programme up and increasing the numbers,” she added. WINDHOEK SELMA IKELA