Finland finances second phase of MEDUNAM project
Present at the launching of the second phase of the MEDUNAM project are Kari Saloranta, Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland to Namibia, Her Excellency Anne Saloranta, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Honorable Dr.Nickey Iyambo, Professor Lazarus Hangula, +Vice Chancellor of University of Namibia, Professor Olli Vainio of University of Oulu in Finland and Head of MEDUNAM II, Professor Rehabeam Auala, Dean of Faculty of Education at University of Namibia and Professor Paulo Pires from Lúrio University in Mozambique.
MEDUNAM is a co-operation project between the University of Namibia School of Medicine and Oulu University Finland School of Medicine which started in 2011. The project, which has now included the participation of Lúrio University in Mozambique, was established in order for universities in Southern Africa to build their own medical schools.
According to Professor Olli Vainio, Head of MEDUNAM II project, despite progress, new medical schools still face many difficulties in terms of inadequate facilities and scarce resources hence the reason of establishing the MEDUNAM project. “Health care is a critical condition for human development. The Southern African young democracies are now investing heavily to build their own human capacity needed for better population health through the creation of medical schools in their Universities,” said Vainio.
Also in attendance at the launch, Veterans Affairs Minister Honorable Dr. Nicky Iyambo, who is a medical doctor by training, applauded the efforts of Finland by providing the country with the relevant tools that will help future doctors of Namibia. The Minister, who was one of the pioneers in advocating for a school of medicine in the country, said it is in the best interest of Namibia to have qualified trained medical students hence the need to increase the quality of medical education in the country.
