Summary

In South Africa, 43.6% of the population resides in rural areas and only 12%doctors and 19% of nurses work in rural areas. Umthombo Youth Development Foundation responds to the need for health professionals in rural areas whee there is dire need for doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Through collaborative efforts with the local hospitals Umthombo provides funding and mentoring for youth in rural areas studying towards a Health Sciences degree, following their training they return to their district hospitals to serve in their various professions. Moreover, Umthombo provides an opportunity that empowers students through providing opportunities they would not otherwise afford. The brightest of the crop go back to their roots, as doctors,optometrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists,social workers and more, lighting the way for good health and acting as beacons of inspiration for their peers.

Program goals

We seek to address the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals at rural hospitals to improve healthcare delivery to rural communities through the identification, training and support of rural youth who have an interest in and ability to become qualified healthcare workers and will, upon graduating, return to work at their local, rural hospital.

Key program components

 

The process invloves the following activities: 

1. Identifying suitable candidates by means of outreaches to rural schools where we inform pupils of health sciences as a career opportunity, as well as by evaluating high school graduates who have already obtained a place at a university.
2. Learners who are interested in studying a health science degree are invited to attend the Hospital Open Day were they meet various healthcare professionals and learn more about the different professions and how a hospital runs.
3. Learners are required to apply to university themselves and in order to be considered for our support they need to do one week’s voluntary work at the hospital and attend the selection interviews
4. Once a student becomes part of the programme they receive comprehensive financial support, as well as academic- and social mentorship.
5. Once UYDF students graduate we ensure that they obtain positions at local hospitals to allow them to honour their work back contracts.

We support graduates with their integration into the hospital working environment, as well as their on-going professional development.

We conduct research into rural health recruitment and retention to inform and improve our operational structure and through our work seek to influence the recruitment and training of healthcare professionals for rural practise