Seventy-million rand has been set aside by the North West Province’s health department for the improvement of nursing colleges.
Department spokesperson Lesiba Molala said the department planned to increase the intake of students at the two main nursing colleges in the province.
”The money will go into building new classes, administration blocks and residences at the colleges. The first phase of building a multi-purpose theatre including administration blocks, classrooms, and tutor blocks is already under way at Mmabatho Nursing College and will be completed by March next year.”
He said this would accommodate 1 000 more students than the usual intake of 140 at the college.
Molala said the Excelsior Nursing College in Klerksdorp will also be upgraded in 2008.
He said the department had 6 734 nurses on human resources system and 1 720 vacant posts.
”This shortage is also a reflection of most of the developing countries of the south and our province is no exception,” Molala said.
Since 1994, about 1 035 students had graduated from Mmabatho Nursing College and were absorbed into the province’s health department.
Molala said students were urged to apply at the beginning of the year as the application closed in mid-year for selection and admissions. – Sapa