"We are now in the third decade of our democracy which endowed us with the Bill of Rights whose building blocks are justice and freedom for all. As Stellenbosch University, we recommit ourselves to be partners to the achievement of these ideals."
Ukwanda Rural Health gives sustenance to the Vision of Stellenbosch University's HOPE Project that was launched by its late Rector, Prof Russel Botman, in July 2010.
"At Stellenbosch University, we believe that we are true builders of hope on the African continent, that we are set to blaze new trails with our science for society strategy and that we can take on some of the world's toughest challenges by putting our strengths and expertise at the service of human need, said Rector Botman at the time.
The Ukwanda Rural Clinical School was a response to this - built on the foundation of the Centre for Rural Health established in 2002. It was launched on 27 October 2012 and in January 2013 the National Assembly congratulated Stellenbosch University on this pioneering initiative, said Dr Therese Fish.
The Ukwanda Rural Clinical School recognises the fact that "those who have the greatest need for health care have the poorest access to it", said Prof Ian Couper.
Prof Couper said it is not easy to find students who are willing to pursue their medical studies in their rural clinical school. And unlike the conventional medical education, the rural clinic places its students in a clinical setting to learn about the intricacies of the health care services and to understand the cycle of care more fully than those placed at medical hospitals, he said.
He showcased two medical students who have joined Ukwanda Rural Clinical School, who in turn shared their experience of being part of this initiative. One of whom is Ms Zibusiso Mbhele, a 6th year medical student. "My involvement in Ukwanda constitutes the critical turning point of my medical education. There are so many benefits that make me not regret coming here.
"Due to my full-time placement in district hospitals I now have more engagement with patients and I understand the disease process more than ever before. I am now more independent: I come up with a plan for patients' recovery, I have freedom to grow and that has enabled me to have a capacity to be a competent doctor in the future. And my understanding of inter-professional interventions has made me a change agent capable of dealing with the burden of diseases."
Another medical student at Ukwanda Rural Clinical School, Ms Emma Loubser, who is reading for a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, said this programme has "immersed her in the communities she serves. And I have learnt more about how a dietician, speech therapist, physio and psychologist fit in the chain of the health care system and patients' recovery. This has given me a holistic account of the health services".
According to one member of the NCOP Delegation, Ms Thandi Mpambo-Sibukwana, the NCOP has a challenge to ensure that government play a part in the success of this much needed intervention.
The Chairperson of the NCOP Standing Committee on Communication and Public Enterprises, Ms Ellen Prins, conceded that "Ukwanda is an eye opener. Now medical practitioners will know how diseases develop. Or what is the connectivity beween diseases and social factors. The Committees on Education, and Health have a shared mandate to contribute to the development of a legislation that will enhance the work that Ukwanda Rural Clinical School does."
This initiative has demonstrated that there is a need of medical practitioners in this country to deal with the burden of diseases especially in rural areas. But we must ensure that our financial investment in our medical practitioners benefits the health care challenges of our country not of other countries, said Ms Mpambo-Sibukwana. "The migration of our doctors to other countries is disheartening. We need a legislation that will ensure that after completing their studies, they commit to serving in our health care system for a certain period. We must do that without infringing on their freedom to work wherever they so wish."
After that the delegations went to conduct an oversight visit at Nkqubela Primary School in Robertson, the only school that use Xhosa as a medium of instruction. Its Principal, Mr Sonwabo Ngonyama, identified overcrowding as the major challenge that the school is faced with. "So dire is the matter that our Grade R classes are accommodated in nearby churches. And we currently have nine mobile classrooms. We have even turned our computer lab into a Grade 4 classroom."
In fact the school is faced with a shortage of infrastructure development which does not meet the increasing enrolment numbers at the school, year in and year out. One of which is the dire shortage of ablution facilities, said the principal. "Currently, there are 66 boys per toilet seat and 44 girls per toilet seat. And there are only two urinals for the boys."
Ms Ellen Prins said as the NCOP they need to attend to this matter urgently. "We view overcrowding in a very serious light because it affects the quality of our education system. We will do our level best to see that this matter is addressed with great urgency."
One of the members of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, Mr Theo Olivier, asked whether the department is aware of these critical shortages at the school. "The department is aware of our predicament. And there have been many discussions on this matter. Oftentimes I raised the matter to the director of education in the district. In fact, I raise it continuously and we received the two mobile classes to ease the pressure due to my persistence," said the principal.
By Abel Mputing
15 September 2016
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