RuDASA supports the concept of scholarship schemes for health sciences students that are linked to rural districts, as a long-term strategy or recruitment and retention of doctors and other health care professionals. We advocate for provincial bursaries to be devolved to local level so that such linking can take place. This is based on 2 factors:

1. Local research has confirmed the international findings that people from rural areas are more likely to practice there.
2. Pilot schemes have already been developed and provide a model for this.
   

   Discussions are being held with the national Department of Health regarding the concept.

Information about 2 pilot schemes is provided, viz.

• The Mosvold Scholarship Scheme, which has been going for 5 years already [word doc]
• The Wits Initiative for Rural Health Education, which has been launched more recently.[word doc]

The information is provided for 2 reasons:

1. To motivate members and site visitors to develop similar programmes in their own areas.
2. To encourage visitors to support, either by direct financial contributions or by assisting the schemes with raising funds