The Roma Health Scholarship Program — Changing Heath Care from Within
Starting in 2008, the Roma Health Scholarship Program (RHSP) has provided scholarships and related support to Roma medical and nursing students in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. RHSP’s goal is to transform the medical system from within, making it more inclusive and preventing discrimination and human rights violations against Roma. By training health care providers from the Roma community, the program aims to reform current practices, challenge negative stereotypes and attitudes, and increase the accessibility of health services to Roma and their comfort in interacting with health care systems.
In addition to scholarships, students also receive mentorship and advocacy support. Mentors helps students navigate academic challenges and identify opportunities for professional growth so that they remain and thrive in the program. Advocacy training is provided to students for each country through summer or winter camps, where they have an opportunity to connect with peers, strengthen understanding of Roma history and culture, identify human rights issues impacting Roma health, and undertake advocacy projects to address them.
Roma Leadership in Health: A generation of health professionals (pdf)
In addition to scholarships, students also receive mentorship and advocacy support. Mentors helps students navigate academic challenges and identify opportunities for professional growth so that they remain and thrive in the program. Advocacy training is provided to students for each country through summer or winter camps, where they have an opportunity to connect with peers, strengthen understanding of Roma history and culture, identify human rights issues impacting Roma health, and undertake advocacy projects to address them.
Roma Leadership in Health: A generation of health professionals (pdf)
