Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Our academic portfolio spans a comprehensive range of disciplines in the health sciences; from clinical specialties and biomedical research to health services education, including the following departments within our faculty:

• Anaesthesia​ology and Critical Care
• Biomedical Sciences
• Medicine​
• Health Professions Education
• Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Nursing and Midwifery ​
• Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Paediatrics and Child Health
• Family and Emergency Medicine
• Global Health
• Pathology​​​
• Psychia​try
• Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology
• Surgical Sciences

As a dynamic entity, we have often led the way in expressing our commitment to transformation. We believe that the facilitation of a journey toward positive transformation represents our espousal of the values presented to us in the South African Constitution. We have built a strong reputation of advancing health and equality over the past few decades, and we will continue to play a leadership role underpinned by our commitment to transformation in this regard.

Research is the heartbeat that drives every part of our work. At our Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) and across the faculty in different facilities, teams are tackling the prevention and treatment for diseases like tuberculosis and advancing cardiovascular research, developing new diagnostic tools and therapies that directly improve patient care while in our Department of Health Professions Education, researchers are redefining how future healthcare professionals learn, blending classroom innovation with real-world clinical insights. Our collaborative environment empowers postgraduate researchers to dive into projects on tuberculosis, HIV, neurological disorders and other critical health challenges. By fostering partnerships that encourage hands-on investigation, we create an authentic space where every discovery can potentially transform healthcare outcomes in the future.

Whether through innovative public health initiatives or hands-on training in rural hospitals, we are dedicated to creating, sharing and applying knowledge that transforms lives and strengthens society's overall health. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to making a real difference by promoting health and advancing health equity. We work hand in hand with local clinics and community health centers to train health professionals who are ready to serve in both urban and rural settings. Our success is built on partnerships with local government, NGOs and community leaders, ensuring that our research and teaching directly address the challenges faced on the ground. For instance, our mobile health clinics and rural training programmes bring vital medical services directly to underserved areas, ensuring that quality care is accessible to everyone.