South Africa is getting a new university school of medicine

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04-06-2025
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North-West University has started construction on the Desmond Tutu School of Medicine to address the country’s shortage of medical professionals.

The school’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, turned the first sod at the Potchefstroom Campus construction site for the development.

The ceremony marked the official start of the construction of South Africa’s 11th medical school, with the first set of students expected to enrol in 2028.

NWU said that the new school will set a firm course towards addressing the critical shortage of medical practitioners in the North West province and across the country.

South Africa has an intense lack of doctors, particularly in rural areas. With poor management and a lack of funding at the government level, many doctors are emigrating, worsening the problem.

Recent studies showed that South Africa’s doctor-to-patient ratio was 0.31 doctors per 1,000 people. This is far lower than the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of 2.5.

The university added that the school heralds the start of a journey that will see it navigate new frontiers in medical education.

“This ceremony marks the symbolic start of construction and the laying of the cornerstone for a bold vision, one that aims to transform lives, uplift communities, and reshape the healthcare landscape of our nation,” said Tyobeka.

“It represents the formal launch of a scholarly pursuit of the highest order: the establishment of a premier centre for medical education, research, and professional training.”

The new state-of-the-art facility, scheduled for completion in 2027, will serve as one of the university’s flagship academic and intellectual hubs.

It will house the foundational years of medical training and eventually expand to include clinical platforms at Tshepong and Klerksdorp hospitals.

“It is here that we will shape the minds and characters of future physicians and individuals who will shoulder profound responsibilities with dignity, scientific excellence, and an unwavering commitment to service,” said Tyobeka.

Despite the shortage of doctors, the government has struggled to employ doctors, particularly many newly qualified doctors.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that despite the country’s pressing healthcare needs, the government lacked the financial resources to employ many of these graduates. 

It was reported that only 800 doctors who completed their community service were offered roles in the public sector, far off the roughly 1,800 doctors who completed their community service.

With these local struggles, the Netherlands is looking to tempt over 100 skilled South African healthcare professionals to make the jump.