Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), partners of the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC), recently hosted Norway’s Minister of Health and Care Services, Dr Jan Christian Vestre, in a visit aimed at deepening international collaboration in healthcare. The event took place on 5 November 2025 and was hosted by Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, with SMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Tandi Matsha-Erasmus, representatives from the SMU Internationalisation Department, and DGMAH’s CEO, Dr Godfrey Mbara, in attendance.
The programme is part of NOREC’s longstanding exchange initiative, which facilitates collaboration between DGMAH, SMU, and Haukeland University Hospital (HUH) in Norway. Established in 2017, the initiative focuses on education, training, and knowledge exchange for doctors and nurses specialising in trauma and emergency care. In South Africa, the DGMAH–SMU partnership is one of only seven NOREC agreements, making it a strategically important programme for advancing healthcare capacity and global learning.
DGMAH manages over 4,000 trauma cases monthly, compared to HUH, which sees just over 5,000 annually. The programme enables Norwegian participants to gain experience in managing high patient volumes and working in resource-constrained environments, while South African participants benefit from insights into hospital system improvements, advanced trauma management techniques, and exposure to rare medical cases in Norway.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Vestre emphasised the importance of partnerships like NOREC in building resilient healthcare systems. “Initiatives such as this demonstrate the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange,” he said. “By learning from one another, we can strengthen healthcare delivery, improve training, and enhance the capacity of our workforce. It is through partnerships that we can achieve health goals that no single country can accomplish alone.”
He further highlighted the benefits of exposure to diverse healthcare systems, noting that South African hospitals provide invaluable experience in managing large patient volumes under resource constraints. “For our colleagues from Haukeland University Hospital, participating in this programme allows them to develop skills in trauma management that are difficult to gain in low-volume settings,” Minister Vestre said. “At the same time, South African participants gain insight into technological innovations, hospital management systems, and approaches to patient care that will enhance outcomes in their own facilities.”
Dephney Colisiwe, a South African NOREC participant, reflected on her experience: “Working alongside colleagues in Norway has broadened my perspective on hospital systems and patient care. I have learned new trauma management strategies that I can apply at DGMAH to improve outcomes for our patients.”
Prof Matsha-Erasmus highlighted the value of the programme for SMU and DGMAH, stating, “The exchange programme strengthens our workforce, enhances our clinical capabilities, and opens avenues for research collaboration. It equips our staff with skills and knowledge that directly benefit patient care and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in South Africa.”
During the visit, Minister Vestre and MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko toured DGMAH’s trauma unit and the Alternative Building Technologies structure, recently repurposed to expand hospital capacity. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko remarked, “Partnerships like NOREC build capacity, foster technological cooperation, and create opportunities for mutual support in health financing and workforce development. These collaborations are essential for developing a healthcare system that is resilient, adaptive, and responsive to the needs of our communities.”
The programme underscores SMU and DGMAH’s commitment, supported by the Internationalisation Department, to foster international partnerships that improve healthcare training, enhance clinical practice, and strengthen professional growth. By sharing knowledge, exchanging expertise, and building capacity, the DGMAH–SMU–HUH NOREC programme continues to demonstrate the value of global collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes for both South African and Norwegian patients.
By Dimakatso Modise
