Trainee nurses and midwives have expressed frustration over the ongoing financial challenges they face due to unpaid allowances and high fees. Many health training institutions require full payment of fees, with some demanding up to 100%, and failure to meet these requirements results in exclusion from dining halls and examination halls. The fees are also uneven, with nursing assistant certificate holders and diploma nurses being charged higher fees than their degree-level counterparts, creating a system of inequality that the trainees deem unacceptable.
The union representing these trainees, the UTNMG, is calling for urgent reforms to address these financial burdens. They are advocating for a reduction in the new bills, making feeding optional, lowering library fees, and consolidating fees related to computer maintenance, internet access, and laboratory setups. The union has urged the government to take immediate steps to rectify these issues, stressing the need for fairness and justice in the education system.
In addition to the financial concerns, Mr. Immortal, a spokesperson for the union, raised alarms about the non-payment of National Service allowances for health personnel, which have been outstanding since January 2023. He warned that if these issues remain unresolved, it could jeopardize the future of the country’s health sector and hinder progress towards achieving several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty (SDG 1), providing quality education (SDG 4), promoting decent work (SDG 8), and reducing inequality (SDG 10).
Mr. Immortal pointed out that the government’s failure to act has eroded the trust of the trainees, further burdening them financially and making health training increasingly accessible only to the wealthier minority. The union emphasized that the government’s neglect is undermining progress in critical areas like education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, which are essential for the country’s sustainable development.
Mr. Immortal warned that if the government continues to ignore their concerns and fails to address the issues of unpaid allowances and high fees, the trainees will be left with no choice but to vote against the NPP in the upcoming elections.
