AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today encouraged Indigenous medical students to apply for the 2012 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.

“Currently there are about 218 Indigenous medical students in Australia.

“The numbers 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 31 January 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 2012 AMA Indigenous Peoples’ Medical Scholarship visit: http://ama.com.au/node/5198

12 January 2012

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

                        Kirsty Waterford                    02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753

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