NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine is the 11th Medical School in South Africa.
The North-West University has announced that its installed medical school will be named after the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The official naming ceremony took place on Tuesday in the capital at Park Hotel in Sandon.
Name unveiled Dr. Anna Mokokocong, Chancellor of NDU, Burt Soragadrazer, was performed by the chairman Non Council, Professor Bismarck Tybeka, Principal and Vice Chancellor of NWU and Dr. Mamphela Ramafale, President of Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.
In the presence, other people, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Fahla, Lazarus Mokgosi, premiere of North West Province and various bishops of Anglican Church.
Arcabishop Tutu’s legacy
Ramphel told them that he wishes to become a doctor before receiving high calling of Archbishop Tutu, saying that it is a fitting that “Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s name will now be in every graduation of NDU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.”
He also talked about his unwavering commitment to Ubantu’s spirit.
“This is the responsibility of NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine to meet the values of Ubuntu, and it is the responsibility of their students to meet high standards that will have been approved by Desmond Tutu.”
NWU Council President Burt Sorgadrazer shared that the decision to name a medical school in honor of the Nobel Peace Prize Award was designed not only to recognize Tutu’s lifelong contribution in the country, but to build a permanent relationship between their heritage and values, character, and graduate characteristics, the university has installed in the future swings of NDUU Desmand.
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11Wan Medical School in South Africa
NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine is the 11th Medical School in South Africa. The project is an associate effort between NWU, North West Health Department and private sector stakeholders.
Among other things, it aims to remove the serious shortage of health care doctors in the north-west province, providing a basis for the development of medical expertise of the country.
The goal is to address the school
Mokgongong highlighted the current doctor-to-rogi ratio of South Africa, which is about 0.31 doctors per 1 000 people and a nurse-to-nurse of about 4.59 nurses per 1,000 per 1,000 people.
He further indicated that these, among other immediate health care challenges, is to address the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.
“We are not only building a school of bricks and mortar, we are laying the foundation for some more permanent.
“Today we open doors that will never be closed. Doors of opportunity, treatment, compassion and change. That is why we have chosen the name of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
“He was not only a man of faith and moral courage, but also a fierce lawyer for justice, equality and human dignity. He understood, the best, that the essence of humanity lies in our care, heal and the ability to uplift each other.
“The work of his life taught us that no obstacle is very great, no injustice, and any dream is also not far to feel through firmness and unity.”
The first intake for NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine is scheduled for 2028.