KINGSTON, Jamaica – Medical students from both the University of Technology (UTech) and University of the West Indies (UWI) are expressing their gratitude for the National Health Fund’s (NHF) EduCare Grant Programme.

Shanique Dunstan, Doctor of Medical Dentistry student at UTech, and Lashaire Fletcher, a Doctor of Pharmacy alumna of UWI said the programme helped them to cross financial hurdles and advance their courses of study.

Two-time beneficiary Dunstan, explained how she struggled each year to cover her tuition, but the EduCare grant made a great difference.

“Funding my education has been challenging since my programme is very expensive, costing over $2 million annually. I have had to seek sponsors and grants for help. At one point I felt like I had the whole world on my shoulders, then somehow it was magically lifted. Being a recipient of this award has allowed me to offset my tuition and expenses,” Dunstan said.

Currently in the penultimate year at the College of Oral Health Sciences, Dunstan said she is driven by the hope of one day paying it forward.

“I am blessed to say that I am almost at the ‘finish line’. Thank you NHF for choosing me as an award recipient. Your investment in my future is truly amazing and I’m forever grateful. I look forward to the opportunity to give back to my community, and contributing to the development of my country through patient care,” Dunstan stated.

The aspiring Dental Surgeon is among 67 health-care students to have benefited from the programme since 2020.

Meanwhile, Fletcher said securing the grant was a very emotional experience as she didn’t know how she was going to complete her studies.

“For the final school year I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen. I was unable to register for the courses and I almost missed the opportunity to do my exams because I was unable to cover my tuition. Thanks to the EduCare Grant, I was able to complete my Doctoral studies in Pharmacy at the University of the West Indies,” Fletcher stated.

Now an intern at an NHF-managed Drug Serv Pharmacy, Fletcher said she is grateful to the NHF for the grant that vastly contributed to reaching this milestone.

At the same time, the Fund is reminding applicants that the grant closes in five days on July 20, 2022. Interested individuals may apply at https://www.nhf.org.jm/educare, email educaregrant@nhf.org.jm for more information or call 876-906-1106.

The programme was launched in 2020, with the aim of providing financial assistance to aspiring health professionals who will be able to contribute significantly to the health of our population upon the successful completion of their studies.