The MEC for Health in the Northern Cape, Maruping Lekwene, said the department has budgeted R173 million for health science and training in the current financial year. Lekwene said the budget includes R82 million for the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College and R4 702 million for an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training college. 

In his statement, Lekwene said the EMS college has obtained a provisional accreditation certificate to train a one-year qualification, which is a replacement of the entry qualification in the profession. He said since January 2021, the college enrolled 15 students of which 9 came from the community.

Lekwene further said the Provincial Mental Health Review Board was appointed this year and the board has since been given support and resources to implement oversight. He added that a similar approach has also been taken to revive the Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College Council to strengthen coordination at a strategic level between nursing students, management and the department. 

Lekwene said a college senate has also been established and tasked with the process of developing a curriculum as part of the college's transition into a higher education institution. He concluded that as a result of those processes, the admission of new students has since been halted.

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