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