WHO ARE WE?
Rural Support Network (RSN) is a student run society that formed in 1996 at the South African Medical Students Association general assembly held at the University of Cape Town. Our society strives for the development and improvement of Rural Communities in South Africa through recruitment and retention of Rural health care workers. https://rsncommittee.wixsite.com/ruralsupportnetwork
WHAT DO WE DO?
We offer students the opportunity of being placed in a rural hospital for two-weeks in December, entirely funded for by the society, where they are encouraged to shadow the health professionals in the hospital, undergo recruitment at local high schools and initiate a health promotion project that can have a long term benefit in the hospital and community.
We also host, in conjuction with SHAWCO Rural, a Rural Health Awareness month for the UCT Faculty of health sciences’ students.
The Placements:
This program allows students to gain exposure and experience in rural areas not just in a clinical sense, but to enjoy learning about a different culture, practice language skill, explore beautiful parts of South Africa, and learn more about your colleages. Every year we send as many students as our budget can allow, ranging from 15-20 students, grouped at different hospitals in teams of 4. Applications are done via the UCT internal system, VULA.
A study has been performed on the value of this placement experience and can be accessed via this link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/20786204.2012.10874248?needAccess=true
Recruitments:
This programme is run throughout the year but occurs mainly on the Placements trip. It involves advocating for tertiary education as an option for learners in the rural areas, specifically in the field of the health sciences. We open a window of possibility for these students - educating them about the different disciplines at our faculty, the process of application and receiving funding, placing emphasis on the importance of NBT’s, and giving our contact details to those students who need more help and mentorship to achieving this. It is a rewarding and important part of building a legacy towards improving rural health care.
Talks and workshops:
Apart from placements, our main focus is widening our (the Faculty of Health Sciences students) understanding of the National Health Crisis and Health for All, especially in the rural sector, becoming sensitized to the need for rural health care workers. We also offer skills workshops to all discplines, such as taking bloods, putting up drips and and cultural sensitisation workshops.
We also want to hear from rural doctors about their experiences, to create realistic expectation and to correct misconceptions.
Fundraising
Every year in April/May, we have our Run For Rural challenge. This is a 7km race (the average distance that a person has to walk to access their nearest health care center from their home) and is participated by students and staff at UCT.
We offer an exciting dining experience at The GOLD restaurant in September, where we enjoy a five-course meal, music entertainment and an opportunity to engage with faculty members of staff and students.
Thank you for you interest in and support of RSN! We look forward to the year ahead.
The Committee 2020:
Chairperson - Tanweer Charles
Deputy Chairperson - Aneesa Kathree
Treasurer - Thaakirah Arendse
Secretary - Vuthlarhi Shirindza
Community-Orientated Care - Chante-Lauren Witten
Workshops & Events - Funmi Afolayan, Sithandiwe Dlamini, Kopano Marobyane
Recruitments - Zola Mbaxa, Thabang Diago
PR & Marketing - Taufeeq Matthews, Tshegofatso Masenya
Fundraising - Asande Vilane, Tapiwa Tarwa
Research - Priyanka Chinniah
