HPCNA reduces nursing and midwifery intake numbers at local institutions

NAMPA

2024-10-06

WINDHOEK, 04 October 2024 - Health Professions Council of Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Cornelius Weyulu. (Photo: Contributed)

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

Education & Health

ODEC opens doors in Swakopmund

2026-06-11 19:18:46

Ogilvy mentors young creatives through industry programme

2026-06-11 15:57:42

Education ministry responds to concerns at Shuumbwa Nangolo Primary School

2026-06-11 14:44:49

Ndaitwah calls for greater investment in boys’ education

2026-06-11 09:19:00

Health ministry launches complaints management SOP

2026-06-10 14:11:27

Delays in Kavango East schools' renovation tender cause uncertainty

2026-06-09 11:06:25

Hardap records strong gains in education, while facing challenges in health sector

2026-06-08 18:37:23

NQA launches qualifications standards information campaign in Opuwo

2026-06-08 13:33:06

Old Mutual opens staff wellness centre

2026-06-06 13:44:57

Nanso petitions government over delayed student funding

2026-06-06 13:30:01

Omuthiya VTC to accommodate over 1700 trainees

2026-06-05 16:07:50

Latest NAMPA photos

SWAKOPMUND, 11 June 2026 -Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa (far right), Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses (far left) photographed with ODEC management and staff and other political leaders during the unveiling of the Open Doors Education Centre (ODEC) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programme in Swakopmund on Thursday. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 11 JUNE 2026 - Namibia has released its Impact Assessment Report on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa (AIDA) in Windhoek on Thursday, an event commissioned by the Executive Director and Director General at the National Planning Commission, along with Jane Matsubara, JICA advisor; Mustafa Sakr, the Head, Trade and Market Unit at AUDA; and Akihiro Hoshino, Japan International Agency Resident Representative. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 11 JUN (NAMPA) The National Planning Commission has launched its Strategic Plan for 2025/26 – 2029/30. The commission's executive director, I-Ben Nashandi (centre), led the launch alongside key strategic stakeholders in Windhoek on Thursday. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 11 JUN (NAMPA) The National Planning Commission has launched its Strategic Plan for 2025/26 – 2029/30. The commission's executive director, I-Ben Nashandi (second from left), led the launch alongside key strategic stakeholders in Windhoek on Thursday. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 11 June 2026 - Former first lady, Monica Geingos. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA

WALVIS BAY, 10 June 2026 - Delegates attending the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) Elective Congress in Walvis Bay. The three-day congress will conclude with a the election of a new leadership to guide the association for the next term. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 10 June 2026 - Deputy Governor of the Bank of Namibia, Nicholas Mukasa. (Photo by: Molly Weyulu) NAMPA

NAMPA