More students for medical school

The extension and development of medical schools at two universities is expected to alleviate the shortage of doctors in the country.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and University of Pretoria vice-chancellor Cheryl de la Rey recently unveiled the new Tswelopele building at the Prinshof health sciences campus, which will increase the intake of medical students from 220 to 400. Motsoaledi said the university increased its intake to 300 in 2013, when the funding for the new facility was secured. Construction on the new building, which cost R173-million, started in 2013 after the university received funding for the upgrading from the National Skills Development Fund and the Department of Higher Education and Training. The country's 10th medical school has been approved at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The Times, 19 August 2016