Health denies bursary backlog

JANA-MARI SMITHWINDHOEKThe health ministry says nearly all of the Namibian scholarship students studying medicine in Zambia have received their allowances.This follows complaints of a two-month delay in payments that left them stranded there without money amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic.A student studying in Zambia on a health ministry scholarship said while most of the 70 students had been paid by this week, the repeated late payments are frustrating and need to be addressed urgently.The student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said their allowances are their only source of financial security.“We have started to receive our stipends. But there are still a few who have not received. As of right now, we are doing all to ensure that our next allowance in July comes with no delay because we have loans to pay back.”The student added: “We are tired of the money coming late because it put us in unfortunate positions. By the time the next allowance should come, they will have new excuses. Why can they not develop a better system that will allow us to receive the money on time? This is the real question.”According to the students, they received their last allowance in February, for February and March.By late May, most of the students had not received their allowances for April, May and June, which left many in dire straits for nearly two months. No problem The ministry this week denied there was a chronic payment problem.The acting director of the human resource development department, Joyce Shatilwe, said the ministry had informed students that their payments would be made quarterly.“Each quarter is three months. Currently, the payment for April to June is in progress, so the next payment will be for July to September, so they will receive payment during that period.”She added that by Monday this week, 95% of the Zambian students had received their allowances for April to June. Communication issues The students have also complained of a lack of communication and assistance from the ministry when they request information on late payments.Shatilwe countered that, saying the ministry was in regular contact with students and the Namibian High Commission in Zambia also supported the students.Around 400 Namibian undergraduates study on health ministry scholarships around the world.Those studying in Russia also complained of late payments in February and May.

Health denies bursary backlog

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-28

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Health denies bursary backlog

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-28

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