National Health Students Association demands payment of allowances
The National Health Students Association is demanding from government, the settlement of their monthly allowances and stipend which has been in arrears for months. According to the group, the delay in payment of Nursing Trainee allowances and National Service (Ministry of Health sponsored) allowances for the months of September, October and November 2019, and a six month arrears in terms of allowances for Rotation Nurses has had a toll on their academics and wellbeing.
The group in a statement issued today, is calling on government to expedite actions at settling these payments.
Below is the statement
DELAYED PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES
Greetings from the leadership of the National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG).
The National Executive Officers (NEO) of the NAHSAG by this release is expressing
our displeasure on the delay in payment of Nursing Trainee allowances and National
Service (Ministry of Health sponsored) allowances for the months of September,
October and November 2019, not forgetting nonpayment of over six months of
allowances for Rotation Nurses.
This issue has become increasingly alarming and we have received series of complains
from our members who form part of these three groups of people and have duly served
as expected in various health facilities and as such meet the needed requirements to
receive their allowances.
The delayed nursing trainee allowances has contributed to a lot of trainees’ inability to
settle debt owed to their various institutions such as school fees even though they are left
with just a couple of weeks to end the semester.
Some parents of trainees depend on these allowances to pay fees of their wards and hence
sometimes do not believe their wards when they are told allowances have not been paid.
Other students whose fees have been paid are also left to their own fate since some
parents believe government is supporting them with allowances.
The story of Ministry of Health sponsored National service personnel is no different as
they have not received payments since September 2019. Newly inducted graduates have
had to go to work on foot and on empty stomachs. Some have borrowed monies from
family, friends and even banks to cater for their upkeep with the hope of paying back
but end up going through all manner of stress due to inability to settle their debts.
The plight of Rotation Nurses is no different and even goes beyond six (6) months arrears.
This situation is very disheartening and needs urgent and immediate attention. NAHSAG therefore entreats the Ministry of Health (MoH) and all other relevant stakeholders involved in the payment of these allowances to kindly facilitate payments as students and fresh graduates are going through trying times.
These interventions were introduced and reintroduced to alleviate the stress and struggles they are currently going through. Working without payment is a big threat to our healthcare system therefore government should move fast in clearing these outstanding arrears.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
H.E Moses N. Bondong
(President)
