Status of Education and Training in Africa: Focus on South Africa

Abstract

Medical Physics training and education in Africa continues to be limited in many ways. Information gathering is difficult in the region due to limited communication channels and relatively few formal contact people within the field. It appears only five countries in Africa have formal courses offered toward recognized Medical Physics qualifications. Much of the training is achieved via International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sponsored training courses. These focus on specific training needs and are presented around the continent in member countries. Many qualified individuals currently in Africa obtained their qualifications in other countries.

Formal recognition of the profession is well established in South Africa (SA) where professional registration with the Health Professions Council of SA is required after formal, structured and approved training. An active education and training program has been in place there since the 1960s. The regulations are kept current by national regulatory authorities to ensure that areas within health care where Medical Physicists are employed are adequately serviced by properly educated professionals. Functional academic and practical training programs are available at six accredited SA universities and most offer postgraduate training programs up to PhD level. Postgraduate students from at least seven other African states are currently studying at SA institutions.

Active efforts have been made since the 2006 IOMP World Congress in Seoul to form a regional federation of African Medical Physics organizations in order to attempt to address some of the urgent needs in the field. This process is well supported by the IAEA and the IOMP, and is aimed at comprehensive support of the profession on the continent.

Many challenges exist in providing Medical Physics services within Africa. To overcome these coordinated education and training is vital.