SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR ROMA MEDICAL STUDENTS

The program “Roma Leadership in Health – A generation of Roma professionals in healthcare” produced concrete and lasting results in increasing Roma representation in medical professions and in reducing inequalities within the health system. Between 2008 and 2014, around 320 Roma students benefited from scholarships, academic mentoring, and leadership training, while more than 250 senior high school students received support for admission to medical universities and post-secondary medical schools.

The intervention significantly increased retention and graduation rates and contributed to the development of a national network of Roma doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who now work in hospitals and clinics in Romania and across Europe.

The impact of the program went beyond education. The visibility of beneficiaries helped shift public perceptions of Roma people by promoting positive professional role models and reducing stereotypes. In communities, graduates became examples of success, encouraging young people’s educational aspirations and confidence in access to elite careers. The program also strengthened dialogue with public institutions and provided arguments for supporting educational inclusion measures. Its integrated model, combining scholarships, mentoring, training, and public campaigns, demonstrated that investing in Roma human capital generates systemic benefits and contributes to a more diverse, more accessible, and more responsive healthcare system.