The Gauteng Department of Health hosted a high-level delegation from Norway this week, led by the country’s Minister of Health and Care Services, Dr Jan Christian Vestre, during a working visit to the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in Ga-Rankuwa.
The visit, attended by Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, formed part of efforts to deepen collaboration under the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC). The initiative connects DGMAH, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, and Norway’s Haukeland University Hospital through a professional exchange programme focused on trauma and emergency care.
Established in 2017, NOREC has facilitated the rotation of nurses and doctors between South Africa and Norway, promoting mutual learning and skills development. While DGMAH manages an estimated 4 000 trauma cases every month, Haukeland University Hospital handles around 5 000 annually—giving Norwegian practitioners hands-on experience in high-volume, resource-constrained environments, and exposing South African teams to advanced medical systems and technologies.
MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko said such partnerships “build capacity, enhance technological cooperation, and open avenues for shared solutions in health financing and workforce development.” She also led the Norwegian delegation through the hospital’s trauma unit and the recently repurposed ABT structure, now used to expand emergency care capacity.
Minister Vestre underscored the importance of these collaborations, noting that initiatives like NOREC demonstrate how “knowledge exchange and mutual commitment can strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for patients in both countries.”
The engagement reaffirmed Gauteng’s commitment to international partnerships that advance clinical training and healthcare innovation, supporting a more resilient and equitable public health system.
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