HPCNA reduces nursing and midwifery intake numbers at local institutions

WINDHOEK, 06 OCT (NAMPA) - The Health Professions Councils of Namibia (HPCNA) has announced changes to the intake numbers for nursing and midwifery training institutions in the country, effective from 2025, limiting them to 50 students per campus.

In an interview with Nampa on Friday, HPCNA Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Cornelius Weyulu, stated that from next year, all nursing and midwifery institutions will only be allowed to enrol 50 students per year. He explained that the rising number of students enrolling in nursing and midwifery each year is negatively affecting the quality of practice, compromising patient safety, and contributing to high unemployment rates among graduates.

Weyulu highlighted that these regulatory measures are intended to maintain the quality of nursing and midwifery training, prevent deficiencies in practice, and ensure public protection. The increasing student numbers have exceeded the capacities of the approved training hospitals and health facilities.

Weyulu also stressed that for educational institutions that have already enrolled students beyond this limit, the directive will apply to the next intake. All approved educational institutions must now have only one intake of students per year.

The Health Professions Councils of Namibia have further stated that, from next year, all locally trained nursing and midwifery graduates must pass the Nursing Council evaluation before being registered or enrolled as practitioners. Non-compliance with these directives by any approved educational institution will result in the withdrawal of its approval by the Nursing Council.

Additionally, the Health Professions Councils announced that no new nursing and midwifery campuses should be opened until further notice. This directive excludes new campuses already approved by the Council that have not yet begun training. The approval of new undergraduate training programmes for nurses and midwives is also suspended until further notice.

Simon Namesho, Manager of Public Relations and Corporate Engagement at UNAM, said the regulatory adjustments are not expected to negatively impact university operations, emphasising that the quality of graduates remains the top priority.
(NAMPA)
JLN/HP