Medical university shelved…

The proposed idea of the first private medical university in South Africa to be built in Newcastle has allegedly been shelved.

This comes after KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu and a representative of Manipal University, an Indian based university who first proposed the idea, confirmed last month that no university would be built in Newcastle yet.

In June last year, the first reports of the possible university were established, stating the university would be completely privatised and would not conform to racial quotas.

With Newcastle’s georgraphical placement, the university would be ideally accessible to patients from the Free-State, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Sources report the reason for the halt to this initiative was that the government did not wish to allow the university to be a completely private initiative.

According to a report in the media, Premier Mchunu said: “We are discussing a proposal of a public-private partnership between Manipal University and the government.”

Currently, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET) is tabling the possible partnership. This was decided after the department revealed reservations surrounding the idea of a fully private university. The department is rather considering a public medical school.

Manipal has already begun committments to the government to ensure that this project will soon take flight, with 30 South African students now studying at the university in India.

Local representative of the organisation, Harrikrishna Narismulu said the university would not be developing the building (physical structure) in Newcastle, but would provide an academic and medical facility in partnership with South African public to realise this project.

However, it would seem the DoHET is currently not looking into this development as the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University would open in Gauteng this year.

Mayor, Afzul Rehman, explained the matter was being dealt with at a provincial level, and its development would be decided there.

“I want the best for Newcastle. This is why I will always push and promote this development. It would open up many opportunities for this burgeoning city, from the economic perspective to the opportunities it would create for our local pupils.”

In the past, Premier Mchunu admitted Newcastle needed medical expertise and the prospect of the university would undoubtedly help the town even in these matters.

Now the idea of the university seems to have taken a back-seat in the grand scheme of development in the province. With consistent allegations of malpractice against governmental health facilities, the possible boon the university represented could be all but lost.