Health Sciences News

Researchers advocate hypertension awareness and prevention on World Hypertension Day

In recognition of World Hypertension Day, the NWU Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) organised a blood pressure monitoring event as part of the May Measurement Month initiative. The event aimed to raise awareness about hypertension or high blood pressure, shedding light on the importance of early detection and prevention. Distinguished…

Major project builds leadership capacity in the Nigerian nutrition sector

The single largest investment in nutrition leadership development ever on the African continent is bearing fruit, and the North-West University (NWU) is playing an important part in it.

The Leadership Development for Accelerated Progress in Nutrition in Nigeria (LEDA-NN) project of R20 million, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates…

PhD student embarks on exchange programme to Belgium

Ryan du Toit, a PhD student in psychology from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Health Sciences, will soon leave for Belgium, after he has been selected for an international priority country exchange programme.

The exchange programme comprises a fully paid scholarship, starting in September 2023 until the end of January…

Revolutionising maths education: Whartels™ learning programme is helping kids excel

A North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer in the subject group Psychology, Dr Petro Erasmus, developed and designed the mathematics programme Whartels™ – which is exclusively used in Let’s Really Play Maths Centres – to help foundation phase learners excel in maths.

This programme was recently launched at the Technology Innovation…

Study looks at the health benefits of plant-based nutrition

North-West University (NWU) researchers are investigating the role of whole-food plant-based nutrition in South Africa.

Prof Andrew Robinson and Dr Nanine Wyma, currently a master’s-degree student at the NWU, are co-founders of the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa. They are conducting research with the help of the…

Study explores experiences of the nursing curriculum

A master’s-degree study conducted by North-West University (NWU) student Katlego Botlhoko from the School of Nursing explores the experiences of nurse educators with regard to the new diploma in general nursing (R171) curriculum in North West.

The diploma in general nursing is a three-year programme, leading to registration with the…

Cycling team brings home gold

The NWU/CycloDNA team performed exceptionally well at the 2023 South African National Track and Para-Cycling Championships. They won two gold medals within the first two days of the event, which took place at the Belville Velodrome in Cape Town from 1 to 5 April.

Prof Pieter Kruger, director of the NWU Centre for Health and Human…

NWU reviews the pharmacist internship programme

For most newly graduated pharmacy students, the compulsory one-year pharmacy internship is the first step towards their service to the community and the start of their professional pharmacy careers in South Africa.

The internship year aims to allow graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired during their undergraduate…

COMPRES addresses development and training needs of researchers

Prof Elmien Truter, associate professor of social work and research coordinator at Community Psychosocial Research (COMPRES), recently arranged a one-day workshop for researchers at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Vanderbijlpark Campus.

COMPRES is a research focus area that provides research support and services to researchers and…

This is how the CHM is saving lives

The early diagnosis of inherited metabolic diseases not only helps to prevent patients from having a lifetime of suffering, it also saves lives.

Metabolic diseases have a variety of life-threatening consequences, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The symptoms of some of these diseases are well-known and do not need intense…