gavin macgregor –director & sphamandla mngomezulu – graduate
TRANSCRIPT
Gavin MacGregor –Director & Sphamandla Mngomezulu – Graduate
Mission
The UYDF seeks to address the shortages of qualified staff at rural hospitals to improve healthcare delivery to rural communities through the identification, training and support of rural youth to become qualified health care professionals
Why rural youth?
• Research indicates that graduates of rural origin are more likely to live and work in a rural area
• We believe that despite the numerous disadvantages rural youth face, they have the potential to succeed if given the necessary support, and will honour their work back contracts
Statistics
• Population 49 million
• Youth 19.6 million (40%)
• Unemployment 35-40% - greatest impact in rural areas & among youth
• High incidence of HIV/AIDS; TB; Malaria
• High numbers of social grants & dependency
Rural Areas in South Africa
• Poorly developed – lack of water, no electricity, poor sanitation, high disease burdens
Lack of infrastructure like communication (internet, mobile phone), roads
Poor schoolingLack of opportunities to study or work
Despite the challenges
• 90 rural youth have become qualified health care professionals
• These youth are working at rural hospitals serving their communities
• They are breaking the spiral of poverty
• 152 youth are being supported this year
Success to date
Graduates, MEC for Health – Dr S Dhlomo, Founder- Dr A Ross
Graduate placements
Students 2011
Aspects of the Programme1. Identify sufficient youth with potential
2. Provide academic & social mentoring support to students so they pass
3. Providing comprehensive financial support
4. Graduates obtaining employment @ rural hospitals and honouring their contracts
5. Supporting graduates in the workplace - Retention
6. Raising sufficient financial resources
Model: Partnership with the local hospital
Outreaches to schools
Hospital Open Days Voluntary work
Student selections Holiday work
Employment of graduates
Umthombo Youth Development Foundation supports the above
Selection criteria
• Be from the area
• Have a financial need
• Be accepted at University to study an approved health science degree
• Have done voluntary work at the hospital
• Be selected by a local committee
• Prepared to sign a year for year work back contract
Provide academic & social mentoring support to students
• Key aspect of the programme
• Full time Student Mentor
• Network of Mentors – meet students monthly & submit report to Mentor
• Holiday work experience
• Addresses academic & social issues
• AIM: address issues that students face so they can PASS
We have shown:1. Rural youth are able to succeed at
university, if provided the necessary support
Pass rates above 80% - last year 89%
2. That graduates will return and work at a rural hospital
Of the 60 graduates: 85% rural hospital only 2 have gone into the Private sector
Of the 35 whose contracts are complete 80% still @ rural hospital
Our work supports govt policy• Youth development; service delivery; rural
communities; job creation• Youth are being trained for specific jobs – start
work immediately• Youth experience the world of work• Addresses the shortages of scare skills• Concentrated in Priority 18 health districts• Improves the skills base in rural communities
& provides hope for rural youth of a better future – breaks the cycle of poverty
Future
• We believe that we have a tried and tested model to invest in rural youth to become produce qualified Health care workers and who are committed to serving rural communities, thus we seek to increase our impact by supporting more rural youth
Thank you