Discovery makes first awards in R200m medical training drive

* Funds to help with specialist training and rural medicine * 20 awards made worth over R12m

Discovery, one of South Africa's leading financial services company, has made the first awards in its R200 million, 10-year programme that funds specialist training for medical graduates and finances academic and research centres that are bolstering South Africas health sector human resources.

The awards were made today by Dr Vincent Maphai, Chair of the Discovery Empowerment Foundation, an independent organisation that invests in medical education with a focus on training specialists for rural areas, the development of academic and research centres and increasing the numbers of previously disadvantaged medical graduates that specialise.

"The Discovery Foundation has decided to respond to the tough challenges doctors and training facilities face and these awards will help fund the current skills shortfall in South Africas medical training needs, particularly in the public health sector. After close consultation with doctors nationwide, the awards have been designed to best meet SA's health requirements," said Maphai.

"Our panel reviewed applications from every medical campus in SA. We were impressed by the high quality of applicants and eventually awarded 20 fellowships worth R12 200 000 to various individuals and institutions."

Academic Fellowship Award - For medical graduates completing their specialist training who wish to pursue a career in academic medicine in South Africa. The Foundation approved 13 awards with a total value of R9 200 000.

Excellence Award - For an organisation or institution that demonstrates excellence in service delivery, training and innovation for the benefit of South African health care, particularly by way of strengthening human resources in the health sector. Two awards of R1 million each were made.

Specialist Award - For medical graduates completing their specialist training who wish to pursue a career in academic medicine in South Africa. The Foundation approved two awards valued at R400 000 in total.

Rural Fellowship Award - For medical graduates who wish to specialise in family medicine and pursue a career working in a rural community in South Africa. The Foundation recently made three awards valued at R687 500.

Some of the fields of study and specialisations of the recipients include cardiac electrophysiology, orthopaedic surgery, cardiology, gynaecology and specialist treatment of HIV and AIDS.

Adrian Gore, CEO of Discovery said: "South Africa does not have sufficient numbers of high level personnel in all areas of health care to provide for the needs of its people.  Nor is it currently training enough people to fill the gaps.

"These awards will assist in providing the training needed to improve the future of health care in our country and go some way to providing a long term solution for the medical skill shortage."

Discovery launched the Discovery Foundation in August 2006 with the principal aim of investing in the education and training needs of medical specialists South Africa.

The award screening panel included Professor Max Price, Professor Bongani Mayosi - Registrar for the College of Medicine, UCT, Professor M S Mokgokong Acting Dean Medunsa, Prof Miriam Adhikari - (U/KZN) and MC Keeton (CEO Tshikululu Social Investments).

The award ceremony was held at Southern Sun, OR Tambo International.