Health Sciences

Dr Rorisang Machailo named finalist in 2025 HEWL Awards

Dr Rorisang Machailo, senior lecturer and deputy director at the School of Nursing at the North-West University (NWU), has been recognised as a top 3 finalist in the Women in Academic Administration category of the 2025 Higher Education Women Leaders (HEWL) Awards.

This honour highlights her outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing mental health education and equity in South Africa’s higher-education sector.

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Being fully present with and for a patient restores wholeness

Ideal Healthcare is not only about treating patients but also about being fully present for and with them. This notion was at the heart of an inaugural lecture delivered at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Potchefstroom Campus on 8 August 2025.

Prof Tinda Rabie from the Faculty of Health Sciences presented her lecture titled “Can the light of presence in caring still shine in the health profession through wise and guiding healthcare providers? Absolutely!”

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Dr Petronella Lunda has been elected to lead SOMSA North West

Dr Petronella Lunda, a maternal and neonatal expert from the North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Health Sciences, was elected as president of the Society of Midwives of South Africa (SOMSA) North West. Dr Lunda was honoured with this prestigious position at the 19th SOMSA Congress held at the OR Tambo Premier Hotel in Kempton Park from 13 to 14 August.

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Nursing students join global collaboration to tackle health challenges online

Nine final-year nursing students from the North-West University's (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus recently participated in an international collaborative project aimed at developing innovative e-health solutions to address global healthcare challenges.

The initiative formed part of the university’s internationalisation efforts and was coordinated through the e-COIL project, an online, interdisciplinary programme designed to expose students to cross-cultural collaboration and digital healthcare practices.

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Mental health awareness workshop encourages postgraduate students to prioritise well-being

Postgraduate students at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus were given a timely reminder to prioritise their mental health during a mental health awareness workshop.

The in-person session, which Student Counselling and Development hosted on 5 August 2025, was for postgraduate students from different faculties, creating a safe space to discuss the realities of academic life, the pressures of balancing multiple responsibilities and the importance of taking time to focus on well-being.

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HART researcher steps into key SA Heart® leadership role

Researchers from the Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART) at the North-West University (NWU) are making meaningful contributions to cardiovascular health in southern Africa. A member of this dedicated team, Prof Ruan Kruger, will now also contribute to the workings of the professional organisation representing cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons in South Africa – SA Heart®.

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Prof Welma Lubbe appointed Associate Editor of the International Breastfeeding Journal

Professor Welma Lubbe from the North-West University’s (NWU) Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) Research Focus Area has been appointed Associate Editor of the International Breastfeeding Journal, a leading open-access, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in breastfeeding.

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Celebrating Breastfeeding Week: Why we need to do more

  • Breastfeeding is every person’s first start in life, yet millions of South African mothers stop within weeks.
  • A simple change in position or early expert support can make the difference between quitting and success.
  • Myths, short maternity leave, and lack of workplace facilities are costing babies their best food.
  • Supporting breastfeeding isn’t just good for health – it’s good for the economy and the planet.

 

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