Health Sciences

Alumnus turns quiet leadership into national recognition at Life Healthcare

When the night shift begins at Life Peglerae Hospital in Rustenburg, Hudson Mothupi is already at work, not just supervising 16 hospital units, but also ensuring systems hold firm through medical emergencies, power outages and the other demands of overnight care.

This behind-the-scenes leadership has earned the North-West University (NWU) alumnus a place among Life Healthcare’s Great 100 Nurses for 2025.

Submitted on Mon, 05/26/2025 - 07:59

Puseletso is advocating for young women in STEM

Medical scientist Puseletso Manyaka-Lesofe recently stepped up to change the narrative regarding the representation of females in science. Puseletso joined as a panellist at the launch of the groundbreaking InnovateHER project, which was hosted at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, 10 May, reaffirming her commitment to empowering young women.

Submitted on Wed, 05/21/2025 - 11:24

Campaign calls for understanding in mental health awareness, not stigma

A 5km-walk through the streets of Mmabatho marked more than just a physical challenge – it was a call to recognise and understand the realities of bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

On 30 April 2025, members of the Lifestyle Diseases research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) joined forces with the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, Kgatelopele Wellness Centre and the North West College of Nursing to host a mental health awareness campaign under the theme “Ending the stigma through embracing our differences”.

Submitted on Mon, 05/19/2025 - 08:46

Book launch marks a milestone in ethical caring discourse

In a powerful affirmation of compassion as a catalyst for social change, the Optentia research unit at the North-West University (NWU) and the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) research focus area co-hosted the hybrid launch of the groundbreaking book, Relational Caring: A Soft Voice in Transforming Society.

The event brought together scholars, practitioners and community leaders from across the globe to reflect on the necessity for empathy and ethical care in transforming communities and institutions.

Submitted on Wed, 05/14/2025 - 08:48

NWU Celebrates International Nurses Day

Nursing is an indispensable, noble profession – the backbone of our healthcare sector. It demands unwavering commitment and a dedication to serve a purpose higher than oneself. Too often, nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare, but not today. Every year on 12 May, the world celebrates International Nurses Day, marking the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth.

Today, we collectively reflect on the immeasurable value of nurses as they are deservedly placed in the spotlight.

Submitted on Mon, 05/12/2025 - 13:16

Nursing Sciences leads outreach to Northern Cape school

New career horizons in healthcare are opening up to Northern Cape learners thanks to an outreach visit by healthcare professionals from the School of Nursing Sciences on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

A team from Nursing Sciences visited Tlhwahalang Secondary School in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape on 16 April 2025 to offer career guidance to Grade 11 and 12 learners and assist them with university applications.

Submitted on Fri, 05/02/2025 - 11:06

Grade 10 SETH learners explore occupational hygiene hands-on at the NWU

On 10 April 2025, a group of Grade 10 learners from the SETH Academy at Hoërskool Ferdinand Postma visited the Faculty of Health Sciences at the North-West University (NWU) for an exciting hands-on experience in occupational hygiene. The session, hosted by the Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI), gave the learners the chance to see first-hand how occupational hygienists play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy work environment.

Submitted on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 15:45

North-West University medical school named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine

The North-West University (NWU) is proud to announce that its soon-to-be-established medical school will be honorifically named the NWU Desmond Tutu School of Medicine.

This decision was taken in consultation with – and received the approval of – the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust.

Submitted on Tue, 04/22/2025 - 15:06

NWU master's-degree student explores cultural competence and healthcare interactions in Belgium

The Faculty of Health Sciences values global learning experiences that shape well-rounded professionals. One of our master’s-degree nursing students, Zwothe Muthabeni, recently had the opportunity to participate in an international nursing internship in Belgium, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of cultural diversity and healthcare.

Submitted on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 15:53

‘Assume that I can’: putting a spotlight on Down Syndrome awareness

Society tends to have low expectations of people with Down Syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the development of the brain. Such perceptions are unfair and uncalled for, according to the international advertising campaign titled “Assume that I can”, which challenges widely held stereotypes of Down Syndrome.

Submitted on Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:15