Charles Darwin University (CDU) has unveiled plans to launch its own locally run medical school, the first of its kind in the Northern Territory.
CDU will run the program in partnership with the NT’s Menzies School of Health Research to produce locally trained doctors. The plan is to begin with 40 students within the next 18 months, then to increase to up to 60 per year.
Currently, the Northern Territory is suffering from a major shortage of health staff, and it is hoped that this program with boost the NT’s health workforce.
The plan is subject to federal funding through an allocation of Commonwealth-supported student places.
Vice-chancellor Professor Scott Bowman has approached the federal government with a request for an initial 50 medical places.
“Every other state, every other territory, has Commonwealth-funded places apart from the Northern Territory and I think that’s got to change,” he said.
“We’re in a position where Rockhampton and Wagga Wagga are getting their own medical schools and yet one of the capital cities of Australia doesn’t have one.”
If the plan is to succeed, it will be a major step forward in health care for the Top End.
