Career Focus: Medicine

It’s a career that some children only dream of. It’s a career most parents want their children to strive for. It’s seen as the cream of the crop of careers in Namibia and requires loads of hard work, high marks and a passion for helping other people.

Because that is what it’s all about. Introducing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), offered at the University of Namibia’s School of Medicine. It’s a five-year course that will probably give you your fair share of zombie days, cutting off your social life to a total of one percent, but if you’re going to be the best, you will have to sacrifice a party or five.

The aim of this field of study is to produce young and professional (not to mention qualified) doctors, surgeons and morticians who will make an impact in the health community in Namibia.

Using their theoretical and practical skills, they implement what they have learnt into real-life situations and use their knowledge in hospitals, mortuaries and other health facilities.

Although an issue with accreditation has arisen recently, the University Spokesperson John Haufiku says that the issue is misleading. “It’s not the medical campus that needs accreditation, it is some of the programmes. Despite that, the issue of accrediting them is an ongoing process and the university is taking various steps to ensure that it will be resolved as soon as possible.”

The looks at a career in medicine, chatting to two fifth year medical students…

Getting the title Dr isn’t as easy as ABC. People have dropped out due to the immense pressure that comes with studying medicine.

Some have resorted to following other careers or simply giving up altogether because it gets too much. What exactly does the medical career demand from potential students?

Mirjam Josef, a fifth year student, who will also become one of the first graduates since the School of Medicine was inaugurated in 2011, explained that the schedules get hectic on a daily basis.

“You have to be determined and have a stomach for it.

But it’s also one of the coolest areas. The things we get to see are incredible. We learn about certain things in school but when we actually get to see them in real life, it’s pretty amazing.”

It is evident that in Namibia, we are suffering from a shortage of doctors and nurses, as well as specialists in various fields that branch under medicine. This could be anaesthesiology, surgery or even virology.

Despite the qualifications that you might get after you obtain the degree, you’d have to study an extra five years or more to fully become a specialist. If you’re dedicated, determined and most importantly passionate about what you want to study, then you’d have to work hard and stay focused.

Some of the modules you can expect to deal with include: Anatomy, Physiology, Behavioural Sciences, Internal Medicine, Pathology, Paediatrics and Surgery, among others. That means a whole lot of dissecting of dead bodies and serious lessons about contemporary medicine that people use in hospitals.

That’s not all. You get to intern at hospitals and clinics. Unfortunately, they are only done in Windhoek and Oshakati as these are the only two towns in Namibia that have specialists.

Students get the opportunity to work at places such as the mortuary so that they understand the human body better, both on the inside and outside. Family Medicine has to do with family care, for example, what medicine to give to both children and adults, which is how people become family practitioners (or family doctors).

“You won’t cope if you don’t have the passion or the stomach for it,” said Fransina Frans, also a fifth year student at the School of Medicine. “My favourite part of this field of study is applying what I have learnt into the real world.”

“It was a rollercoaster ride,” Mirjam enthused. “It feels great to be the pioneers of our field because we are going to be one of the first graduates, hopefully. We’re paving the way for others behind us.”

In order to apply for the MBChb degree, you must have about 35 points based on the Unam Scale with at least a B-symbol in English or alternatively, you should have 37 points on the Unam Scale with at least a C-symbol in English. You must also have a score of 2 or better in higher level Mathematics and Physical Science (which could be a 2 in Mathematics and a 3 in Physical Science or vice versa) and a B-symbol or more for Biology or Life Science on Ordinary level.

If you are in the science field, even better. You should have completed the first year in the Bachelor of Science curriculum with a pass in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics with an average of 60%. You may also apply for the degree if you have completed a ‘relevant and applicable qualification at a higher institution that has been recognised.’ In other words, their qualification should hold relevance at the Namibia Qualifications Authority.

For those who have somewhat questionable merits may have to be called for an oral interview before the final selection. Mature entries are also possible, and for this, you can go onto Unam’s website to get more information.

If you thought that was it, you’re wrong! Applicants have to submit an essay on a topic based on the Admissions Committee of the School of Medicine’s choice in order to evaluate writing skills and determine if the applicant is a potential health service provider.

The job opportunities in the medical career are almost endless.

If you love working with people, then this is the job for you.

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