AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today encouraged Indigenous medical students to apply for the 2013 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship.
Dr Hambleton said that an important part of closing the Indigenous health and life expectancy gap is to build an adequate workforce that includes Indigenous doctors and health professionals.
“There is evidence that there is a greater chance of improved health outcomes when Indigenous people are treated by Indigenous doctors and health professionals,” Dr Hambleton said.
“The numbers of Indigenous doctors are steadily increasing, but every effort needs to be made
to help make it possible for Indigenous people to study medicine.
“This is why the AMA offers the Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship of $9000 per
annum for aspiring Indigenous doctors.
“The scholarship has assisted many Indigenous men and women who may not have otherwise
had the financial resources to study medicine.
The scholarship was established in 1995 with a contribution from the Australian Government
to help increase the number of Indigenous doctors in Australia.
Applications for the scholarship must be in by 10 May 2012.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must currently be enrolled full time at an Australian
medical school and be eligible for ABSTUDY.
For further information on how to apply for the 2013 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical