​A delegation from the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) and the Western Cape Legislature visited the Ukwanda Rural Clinical School (RCS) in September as part of their Provincial Week activities.

The goal of Provincial Week is for the NCOP to interact with provinces, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that provincial interests are taken into account.

In her presentation to the NCOP, Dr Therese Fish, Vice-Dean: Clinical Services and Social Impact of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), said that the Ukwanda RCS was established in accordance with the University's goal to help eradicate poverty and related conditions and to promote human dignity and health.

"At Stellenbosch University, we believe that we are true builders of hope on the African continent, that we are set to blaze new trails with our science for society strategy, and that we can take on some of the world's toughest challenges by putting our strengths and expertise at the service of human need," Fish reiterated the words of the University's late rector, Prof Russel Botman.

The Ukwanda RCS recognises the fact that "those who have the greatest need for healthcare have the poorest access to it," said Ukwanda director, Prof Ian Couper.

He explained how by immersing medical and allied health students into rural areas with the greatest healthcare need, students are more likely to return to these areas after they qualify to serve these communities.

According to NCOP member Thandi Mpambo-Sibukwana, the council has a challenge to ensure that government play a part in the success of this much-needed intervention.

The chair of the NCOP standing committee on Communication and Public Enterprises, Ellen Prins, commented: "Ukwanda is an eye opener. Now medical practitioners will understand the link between diseases and social factors. The Committees on Education and Health have a shared mandate to contribute to the development of a legislation that will enhance the work that the Ukwanda Rural Clinical School does."