The Wits Clinical Associates Programme Celebrates 10 years!
- Avow Mgobozi
The Wits Division of Clinical Associates celebrated 10 years of the existence of the clinical associate profession in South Africa. The celebrations took place from the 7th of October 2022 – 14th of October 2022, parallel to (PA) physician assistant week in the USA. The purpose of this grand celebration was to honour the contribution the clinical associate cadre has made to the healthcare system over the last decade and to increase awareness of the profession. The University of Witwatersrand started training clinical associates in 2009 with 25 students, 10 years later, the first-year cohort consists of 91 students.
The celebrations commenced with the BCMP talent show that highlighted student talent. This was a vibrant evening at the Wits Adler Museum full of singing, dancing, visual art, and poetry. A webinar titled “Global perspectives of the clinical associate profession occurred on Monday, 10th October. This Webinar hosted Guests from India, the USA, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa, to speak as clinical associate analogues. On the 11th of October, clinical associate students painted the campus maroon, with student activations to raise awareness of the profession. The day consisted of games and socializing with the Wits community. On the 12th of October, the Division of clinical associates collaborated with the Wits Health Hubb and Phila Sonke to lead a wellness drive in Soweto. Students performed eye examinations, assessed blood pressure, and educated the community on chronic illnesses. The clinical associate symposium took place on the 13th of October.
The Attendees listened to various speakers who presented on South Africa’s Health care system, the conceptualization of the clinical associate profession, and the impact of the work of clinical associates in various workplaces, and Walter Sisulu University and the University of Pretoria provided programme updates. The celebration ended on Friday, the 14th of October, with a fun walk at the education campus, led by the Wits Division of Sport and Exercise medicine.