UKZN launches fund for medical students with historical debt
The Head of the University of KwaZulu-Natal's School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Ncoza Dlova, has appealed for support in dealing with the over R33 million historical debt affecting medical students.
"We launched the fund in the hope of assisting the many medical students who are so keen to graduate.
"They are already in the system and go out and serve the community, but a lack of funding is holding them back.
The financial strain places a huge burden on the psychological if the students, as well as their performance and we really want to do our best to relieve the stress so they can focus on their studies."
READ: Tests of HIV vaccine using mRNA technology have begun
Professor Ncoza Dlova says the Medical Student Fund was launched on Thursday to help their medical students pay off some of their debts.
She says 30 to 40% of their students desperately need the funding as they are not supported by NSFAS, nor do they have any form of self-funding.
"We are really calling especially on our alumni to support their fellow colleagues as well as the entire medical fraternity to help support a doctor to graduate and of cause the cooperate sector is also invited as well as our ex Alan Taylor residence.
READ: UKZN: Student registration strictly online, no walk-ins
"The funds will be monitored by UKZN Foundation and they will also be a tax benefit for companies who are donating to the fund. So let us help graduate a doctor, let us help make a doctor. We need to hold our hands together."
MORE FROM ECR
