Ethiopian gov’t offers scholarships for South Sudan’s doctors

JUBA – The Federal government of Ethiopia is offering 100 scholarships for South Sudanese medical doctors who wish to go for specialization in their fields of studies in Ethiopia.

Dr. Michael Mading, the Director General for Trainings and Professional Development at the Ministry of Health said during a weekly briefing on Sunday last week, that the registration would be opened Monday for those willing to apply.

“The Ministry of Health of the Republic of South Sudan has secured scholarships for South Sudanese doctors especially those who are interested to pursue medical specializations in Ethiopia,” he explained.

“And for this, we would like the South Sudanese interested candidates to register at the Ministry of Health particularly with the Directorate of Trainings and Professionalism Development as from tomorrow (today) 26th October, up to 10th November,” Dr. Mading added.

The health official revealed the registration requirements needed include a copy of Bachelor’s degree and authorized registration from South Sudan’s General Medical Council ahead of selection criteria.

According to the Director General, the registered candidates would later compete for entry examinations that will be offered by the Ethiopia government in November to determine the qualified candidates.

He said a team of specialized doctors will come from Ethiopia and administer the examination comes November.

“As a prerequisite for the entry for specialization in Ethiopia, there will be entry examinations that will be sat here in Juba from date 16th November up to 20th November 2020,” Dr. Mading added.

Dr. Thuou Loi, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Health Loi said the Ethiopian government has restricted to take only those who pass the entry examinations without compromise.

“Ethiopia will only admit those who pass the entry exams. It is going to be the same question for everybody regardless of what you want to specialize in,” he said.

“So it is important that those who access this information give it to other colleagues who are not in Juba so that they also prepare for the exams and registration as well,” Loi added.

He affirmed the scholarship is tuitions free one as intended to boost South Sudanese doctors’ capacities.

“It is tuitions free and they are ready to take up to 100 South Sudanese medical doctors per year to specialize in different universities in Ethiopia,” Loi stated.

The health professional appealed to the doctors to register, prepare and show up during examinations.