Officer Kite:
I'm only pointing out the "we" collectively on this forum have a "western" point of view.
Paying for flight training has been "around for quite some time" only in the "western" world. In most parts of Asia, that wasn't the norm until relatively recently. And it is a practice that is looked down by some even today.
E.g., some pilots in Asia are resentful of "self-sponsored" students at traditional cadet schools.
And yes, in many parts of the world, doctors must indeed PAY to get initial work experience in hospitals. I.e., they have to pay to attend residency programs, instead of the being paid. This is actually the norm in some countries (e.g., Colombia).
Even in the US, some Registered Nurses pay for their own residencies, and many (if not most) are unpaid during their initial work experience (meaning, they are self-funded).