Dean and Head of UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine Professor Ncoza Dlova has launched a fund to support medical students with historic debt. The fund will help to ensure that education is a reality for those who are struggling financially, with the investment in future medical doctors potentially injecting much needed human resources in an overburdened healthcare system.
Dlova said: ‘At UKZN, the majority of our medical students come from previously disadvantaged communities. This is reflected in our transformation agenda – 70% of our students are African and recruited from Quintile 1 and 2 schools. In order to assist them to focus on their studies without having financial worries, we appeal to donors, non-governmental organisations, the corporate sector, alumni of UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine as well as alumni of the former Alan Taylor residence to assist with donations.’
At a recent function at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, UKZN alumnus and co-founder of the Gift of the Givers organisation Dr Imtiaz Sooliman pledged R3 million towards the fund allowing a number of medical students with historical debt to register for their studies this year.
Current Medical students at the school pledged their support for the fund with some committing to donate R100 a month. Said fifth year medical student Mr Tyrell Pillay: ‘The Professor Ncoza Dlova Medical Student Fund will go a long way in helping to create leaders in healthcare for the near future and beyond. The funds will be used to ensure that underprivileged students are not denied access to education and have a good chance.
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