Namibian health care undergoing transformation

Namibia to produce its own specialist anaesthetists for the first time…

WINDHOEK, Feb. 23 -Life-saving medical care in Namibia will undergo transformation, as a new postgraduate course is expected to dramatically increase the number of state anaesthetists.

Professor Judith Hall & Doctor Brian Jenkins look on as students carry out an exercise in class

Supported by the highly successful Phoenix Project partnership with Cardiff University in Wales, United Kingomd, University of Namibia’s new Masters in Anaesthesia has just enrolled the first six students for the programme.

The training will help address and alleviate an acute shortage of anaesthetists, that has on countless times left patients facing long waiting lists for surgery, as well as a lack of specialist care during emergency operations.

These students will transform the number of dedicated anaesthetists available, building self-sufficiency for the training of specialist anaesthetists in Namibia and improving the quality of patient care.

Professor Frednard Gideon, Pro-Vice Chancellor: Academic Affairs at UNAM said, “The start of the training of the anaesthetists is a huge relieve to the health care and pain management delivery in the public hospitals in Namibia.

“It also key for a sustainable system of a training programme for doctors as anaesthetists in the country.”

Ebba Shaanika, a student on the Master’s in Anaesthesia programme, said echoed Gideon’s comments, adding that both private and public health sectors suffered critical shortage of anaesthetists in Namibia.

Said Shaanika, “We are happy to be part of the first group on the Master’s programme and specialise in the field, as it is an important part when patients undergo an operation of surgery.”

Phoenix Project leader Professor Judith Hall, of Cardiff University, who is herself a consultant anaesthetist, came up with the idea for the new anaesthesia course and worked with partners at UNAM to develop it.

“Surgery can save lives but you can’t have surgery without anaesthesia, and Namibia has so few state anaesthetists. This Masters course will create a new body of professional anaesthetics doctors in Namibia in sufficient numbers to truly transform care,” she explained.

Masters students during a simulation

The six students from across Namibia are the first to take the course, which will equip them with specialist anaesthesia training and skills not currently provided in Namibia.

In addition, the training will lead to improved support for surgical care and provide leadership for specialist anaesthetic care throughout the country.

Phoenix Project, a mutually beneficial collaboration between Cardiff University and UNAM, has previously provided intensive crash courses in anaesthesia and critical care skills for students and doctors around the country. – NDN Staffer

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