National malaria spraying teams bemoan payment delays
Workers feel 'neglected', say they have kids to feed
A nationwide delay in payments to temporary employees working under the health ministry's malaria spraying programme has sparked frustration among field workers.
Sources within the ministry’s directorate in Kavango West confirmed to Namibian Sun last Thursday that the problem extends beyond one region, affecting malaria control operations in Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi and Omusati, among others.
According to a senior official involved in the programme, the delays stem from a lack of authorisation to pay the temporary workers, many of whom have been active since September and have yet to receive even their training allowances.
“We submitted the claims and commenced with the spraying programme, but the training money is still not paid because there’s no authorisation from the executive director or minister,” the official said.
He added that teams were not informed of the hold-up when they started training, “and now people are becoming frustrated.”
The official, who asked not to be named, said the workers were contracted for 65 days – 10 for training and 55 for fieldwork – and are paid N$223.20 per day. The delay, however, has left many struggling to meet basic needs for more than a month, he added.
“Some are saying they can’t continue working because they have children to feed,” the source said. “They feel the ministry has neglected them.”
Money on the way
When contacted for comment last week, Kavango West health director Franciska Hamutenya acknowledged the delays but said the ministry is now processing payments for all affected regions.
“It’s a national issue actually for all the regions that deal with malaria,” she said Thursday. “There were some delays in the payment processes because of the transition under the new executive director and minister. Everything is now in order, and by next week the payments should reflect.”
Despite this assurance, field teams in various regions remain uncertain about when the promised funds will be disbursed.
The annual indoor residual spraying programme is one of Namibia’s key malaria prevention measures, employing hundreds of temporary workers each year during peak transmission season.
[email protected]
Sources within the ministry’s directorate in Kavango West confirmed to Namibian Sun last Thursday that the problem extends beyond one region, affecting malaria control operations in Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi and Omusati, among others.
According to a senior official involved in the programme, the delays stem from a lack of authorisation to pay the temporary workers, many of whom have been active since September and have yet to receive even their training allowances.
“We submitted the claims and commenced with the spraying programme, but the training money is still not paid because there’s no authorisation from the executive director or minister,” the official said.
He added that teams were not informed of the hold-up when they started training, “and now people are becoming frustrated.”
The official, who asked not to be named, said the workers were contracted for 65 days – 10 for training and 55 for fieldwork – and are paid N$223.20 per day. The delay, however, has left many struggling to meet basic needs for more than a month, he added.
“Some are saying they can’t continue working because they have children to feed,” the source said. “They feel the ministry has neglected them.”
Money on the way
When contacted for comment last week, Kavango West health director Franciska Hamutenya acknowledged the delays but said the ministry is now processing payments for all affected regions.
“It’s a national issue actually for all the regions that deal with malaria,” she said Thursday. “There were some delays in the payment processes because of the transition under the new executive director and minister. Everything is now in order, and by next week the payments should reflect.”
Despite this assurance, field teams in various regions remain uncertain about when the promised funds will be disbursed.
The annual indoor residual spraying programme is one of Namibia’s key malaria prevention measures, employing hundreds of temporary workers each year during peak transmission season.
[email protected]
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