National Assembly backs investigation into mushrooming nursing schools

The National Assembly on Wednesday rallied behind a motion calling for an investigation into the rapid increase of nursing training institutions in Namibia.

Lawmakers warned that unchecked growth could compromise public health.

The motion, tabled in June 2025 by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Winnie Moongo, calls on the parliament to examine the quality of health training offered in Namibia.

It is further calling on the parliament to assess the alignment of programmes with job market needs and review the accreditation processes of the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA).

Prime minister Elijah Ngurare, speaking on behalf of Swapo, commended Moongo for the motion, stressing the government’s obligation to ensure proper standards in health training.

“The government must ensure we regulate where necessary so that young people are not caught up in the quagmire of institutions that are not registered,” Ngurare said, recalling the oath of integrity taken by nursing graduates at the University of Namibia.

Affirmative Repositioning member of parliament (MP) Ester Haikola warned that profit-driven institutions are undermining quality.

“The consequences of nursing schools putting profit above the standards of healthcare have become too dangerous to ignore,” she cautioned.

Independent Patriots for Change MP Lilani Brinkman, the party’s shadow minister of health, recounted her own experience of enrolling at an unregistered institution.

“I too was a student at a certain health institution in Namibia, one that was, to our shock, not registered with the nursing council. Hundreds, if not thousands, face the same situation,” she said.

“Graduates end up with qualifications that cannot be recognised, and the health system cannot absorb them,” Brinkman said.

Minister of defence and veterans affairs Frans Kapofi criticised some nursing colleges as profit-driven ventures preying on desperate young people.

“These are not schools; these are business ventures. Admission criteria are relaxed, and fees are high. That is the problem,” he said.

Education minister Sanet Steenkamp also raised concerns, tracing the issue back to reforms under the Nursing Act of 2004, which allowed private institutions to supplement state training.

“While the move aimed to address shortages, it has now led to a cause for concern.”

Steenkamp said nine nursing institutions were accredited, with three under review as of 16 June.

She emphasised that the HPCNA, through the Nursing Council of Namibia, must approve all nursing curricula and training facilities before the NQA registers qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework.

She underscored that institutions are required to employ qualified lecturers and clinical instructors with credentials higher than the qualifications they teach, adding that stronger oversight is needed.

“If we cannot guarantee proper training and mentorship, we must set firm limits. Patient safety, professional integrity and public trust are too important to compromise,” Steenkamp said.

Moongo, a trained nurse, welcomed the cross-party support and expressed confidence in the parliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development, which will investigate and report back to the National Assembly.

“I have no doubt that the committee will do an excellent job to restore the dignity of this profession,” she said.

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