Students
Student Enrollments
Student enrollments for middle September 2011 stood on 17 013 which means the total number of students enrolled since 1998 currently stands on 154 110. The graph below shows this growth in students.
100 000 Celebration
On 13 April 2010, we celebrated the enrollment of our 100 000th student on FPD courses and our 100 000th patient on ART. The event took place at Liliesleaf Farm, a heritage site rich in South African
history with reference to our very own Madibaand the declaration of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) - the anti-apartheid war.
Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt, Managing Director of FPD, welcomed honoured guests and reminded us of the fruits that are reaped from perseverance and partnership. Ms Veena Pillay, FPD's Academic Exacutive and Dr Nkhensani Nkhwashu, FPD's Treatment Exacutive introduced two signature individuals; Mr Jeff Borns, USAID Mission Director and Ms Mpho Letlape, Managing Director of Sasol Inzalo. These individuals congratulated FPD on their efforts and outcomes with Borns saying: "This is a phenomenal achievement by any standard and I applaud the efforts of Dr Wolvaardt and his team...together all the numbers, the partners and programmatic efforts are creating a lasting change in South Africa"
Letlape and Borns handed over a certificate of celebration to Dr Suresh Bhana and Ms Florence Maphage. "It was like I was a seed that was dead, and you (FPD) brought me back. Through your support, [you] helped me grow into a beautiful tree, full of life", says Maphage
Launch: NIMART
In response to a call to action by the National Department of Health to implement various plans to improve access to HIV and AIDS services, and in particular Nurse Initiated Antiretroviral Treatment, FPD offered its first NIMART course during September 2010. This programme will be rolled out accross all nine provinces in South Africa.
On 7 October 2010, FPD hosted a NIMART launch event to allow people to engage in discussions around the course and its aim. The event saw representation from the National Department of Health as well as strong support from the Gauteng Department of Health including hospital managers and clinic coordinators around Gauteng. Dr Tandiswa Lusu (FPD's Head of TB/HIV Collaboration and facilitator of the NIMART course) gave an overview of the content and methodology applied, whilst Ms Thabile Msila (National Department of Health representative) presented the governmental guidelines to which the course adheres to. FPD looks forward to an increase in the number of patients initiated on ART as a result of this course implementation.
Student Support
FPD maintains a resource centre at its registered head office. Apart from literature associated with its programme and courses, internet access is also provided. Students receive support required from faculty and facilitators and may request additional assistance from FPD if needed. FPD's website offers students assistance through the provision of assessment and assignment guidelines.