Budget boost for medical students welcomed

Budget boost for medical students welcomed

Medical students have received a welcome boost in the Budget with the
announcement that the Trainee Intern grant has been increased, says the New
Zealand Medical Association.

From next year, 6th year medical students (Trainee Interns) will receive a
payment of $26,756, up from $16,756 (which had not been increased since
1994).

“This is extremely good news for Trainee Interns, who carry out valuable
work in our public hospitals while completing their undergraduate study,”
said NZMA Chairman Dr Ross Boswell.

The increased grant will go some way in reducing the high debt levels faced
by medical students. The Doctors and Debt casebook, released in March,
showed that the total average doctors’ debt at graduation was more than
$65,000.

“Trainee Interns, like other medical students, face student fees of around
$11,000 a year, so it is pleasing that their hospital work is recognised
with an appropriate grant as well,” Dr Boswell said.

“Both the NZMA and the NZ Medical Students Association have been advocating
for an increased Trainee Intern grant for several years. We are pleased that
our efforts have paid off.”

ENDS

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