School of Medicine | University of Namibia
University of Namibia School of Medicine
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The UNAM School of Medicine is a key medical professional School under the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Namibia. The mission of the School of Medicine is to produce health professionals whose knowledge, professional skills, and practice in medicine are in tune with the needs of society, practice patterns, and scientific advancements. The School shall provide a learning environment conducive to the pursuit of professional competency of health workers, research, and service to the community.
The School will continually strive for the establishment of training programs in a wide spectrum of health disciplines and lending support to the human resource development initiatives of the country, including post-graduate education of physicians and scientists. The School is mandated to grant a medical degree to its graduates.
The Government of Namibia, its people and partners have done a lot of studies before the final establishment of the Medical School in Namibia was given a green light by the Ministry of Health, Education, and the Health Profession Council approved the curriculum. Despite that The School of Medicine, is a simple five years, it department of Pharmacy has now also become a school on its own in 2012. The UNAM School of Medicine current faculty and infrastructure supporting the running of MBChB degree has so far survived many challenges that come along with a prestigious program like this one, due to the strong financial support from the government of Namibia.
- 1992 – Multiple Stakeholder Meeting: The Government of Namibia engaged multiple stakeholders in the process of establishing its own School of Medicine in 1992.
- 2002 – Medical School Foundation: The WHO Regional Office for Africa appointed an expert to spear head this initiative in 2002 and laid the foundation from which to build up the School supported by strong political commitment from the highest level.
- 2002 – Partner institution role: The Free University of Berlin and Oulu University of Finland have both demonstrated assistance in this exercise.
- 2008 – Preparation and Consultations: After more than five years of preparation and consultation, a feasibility study which was conducted in March 2008, recommended the establishment of the School of Medicine.
- 2008 – Establishment: In June 2008, the University of Namibia implemented one of the recommendations critical for establishment the School of Medicine through the recruitment the Coordinator of the project who assumed duty in September 2008.
- 2009 – Curriculum: The approval Accreditation of the BPharm curriculum by the HPCNA and the University Sanate.
- 2010 – Start: The School opened its doors for it first 55 medical students intake in 2010.
- 2011 – Pharmacy department established: The School of Medicine, has establish the department of Pharmacy in 2011, and their first intake.
- Inauguration of the National School of Medicine: the President of the Republic of Namibia President, DR. Hifikepunye Pohamba and the Founding Father Dr. Sam Nujoma, have official set the ball lolling for medical education in Namibia.
- 2012 – NGF registration: The submission for registration with the NQA was done.
- 2012 – Community and Public Health placement: In support of the national policy on public health for Namibia, the UNAM MBChC has placed it first students, in the rural area of Namibia.
- Future prospects: Additional programs of Dentistry, Medical Laboratory and Rehabilitation Sciences shall be introduced at degree level starting with Dentistry and Pharmacy which share similar resources with the Medicine degree, from 2011 onwards. Postgraduate training shall be offered after 2015.
Despite the competitive market for professional trainers and professors in the field of medicine around the world, the UNAM School of Medicine has managed to attract, professionals of high standards and from well-renowned Universities and hospitals. The UNAM School of Medicine managed to recruit more than fifty staff members to cover the MBChB curriculum disciplines fulltime and has made use of part-time clinical trainers form both public and private hospitals.
The UNAM School of Medicine programme has a population of about 380 students for its first five years of operation, including students from the wider SADC region. As Medical professional are a national need, it is anticipated that the School of medicine will continue to enroll between 65 – 80 new students per year to resolve the shortage of medical doctors in Namibia.
Departments
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Community Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Microbiology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences
- Research and Institutional Development
- Surgery
Admission Requirements
(i) To apply for the MBChb degree, a candidate must be enrolled in Grade 12 studying towards a NSSC certificate or in possession of a NSSC certificate or any other equivalent qualification with at least
a) 35 points on the UNAM scale with at least a grade B in English OR 37 points on the UNAM scale with at least a grade C in English
b) A Score of “2” or better on higher level in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (or a 2 in Mathematics and a 3 in Physical Science) (or a 2 in Physical Science and a 3 in Mathematics) OR a grade B or better on ordinary level for Mathematics and Physical Sciences
c) Grade B or better on ordinary level for Biology/Life Science
(Please refer to the scale used by the University to calculate the UNAM score);Sponsored Links
OR
(ii) To apply for the MBChB degree, a candidate must have successfully completed the entire first year BSc curriculum and must have passed in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics modules with an aggregate of at least 60%;
OR
(iii) To apply for the MBChB degree, a candidate must have successfully completed a relevant and applicable qualification from a recognized higher institution
(iv) Mature Entry: Candidates aspiring for admission to the MBChB degree through the Mature Age Entry Scheme must satisfy the following conditions:
a. They should be at least 25 years old on the first day of the academic year in which admission is sought
b. They should have successfully completed senior secondary education
c. They should have proof of at least five years relevant work experience (as determined by the School).
d. They should pass all papers of the prescribed Mature Age Entry Tests and obtain a minimum aggregate score of 60%.
e. Candidates, who, in the opinion of the Faculty, merit further consideration, may be called for an oral interview before the final selection is made.
WHY STUDY AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE?
The practice of Medicine offers a breadth of experiences that it is impossible to find in any other profession, and the UNAM School of Medicine have so far established a modern environment for medical training in Namibia, equipped with all necessary tools and infrastructure for the tomorrow doctor training.
The field of medical practice every day brings different patients with different needs, it’s a great choice for health scientists who strive to understand and apply research findings to improve the lives of the patients in their care and the public in their societies. It offers a meaningful career that, if we’re being frank, is prestigious, secure and relatively well-paid.
There are many attributes required to be a successful doctor. Perhaps the main ones are motivation and compassion but others include enthusiasm, stamina, tenacity, initiative, courage, loyalty, excellence, resilience, ability to work in a team and a sense of humour.
You need to have the capacity to deal with frustrations and disappointments and to be able to deal with a career that may have many highs and lows and on occasions be extremely stressful. You need the ability to be able to wind down and relax and to have hobbies and pastimes that will allow you to do so.
However, practicing Medicine can be arduous, stressful, frustrating and bureaucratic and it’s not suited for everyone, therefore the medical curriculum put in place a program which can prepare the aspirant doctors with all professional, technical, social and management skills to excel in their career. You need to be sure that Medicine is the right choice for you, and the UNAM School of medicine will provide you with the best facilities, and faculty to make your dream come true.
The medical school curriculum in Namibia will help you work for the communities which need your services, people you value and who will value your everyday work, but there’s no better way to find out for sure than by gaining insight of medical practice by seeing it in action and talking to those who provide healthcare.
Studying Medicine because that is what is expected of you is never a good idea: make sure that your motives for choosing to do so are well-reasoned. Namibia and many Sub-saharan African countries have a high shortage of medical doctors with world class competencies.
The world will open doors for you after completing the MBChB degree at the UNAM School of Medicine, as the platform to acquire different competencies depending on what skills, knowledge, and attitudes are required different fields will demand is provided at a different sites of the UNAM School of Medicine training facilities.
POSSIBLE CAREERS AFTER GRADUATING FROM MEDICINE
- General Practitioner,
- Surgery,
- Internal medicine,
- Obstetric and Gynecology,
- Pediatrics,
- Anesthesiology,
- Family medicine,
- Cardiology
- Public Health and etc
School of Medicine Contact
Send an inquiry to the management for support and assistance;
+264 61 2065015
+264 61 2065093