Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has confirmed that it will no longer fund tuition fees for Namibian health professionals on study leave.
In a recent letter, two of the students currently studying abroad expressed concerns about financial difficulties.
In their letter, the students said that they were granted study leave to pursue Master of Medicine degrees at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College.
They claimed that the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) denied them financial assistance, leaving them to pay for their studies.
They stated that the rising costs of tuition, accommodation, research funding, transportation, and daily living expenses have created an unsustainable financial burden.
The letter emphasised the unpredictability of the exchange rate as a significant challenge, as expenses must be paid in United States Dollars.
“Regrettably, their applications for financial assistance from NSFAF were declined. This has placed them in a challenging financial predicament as they enter the second year of their four-year programs. The primary challenge they face is the unpredictability of the exchange rate, which has made self-funding their education an increasingly burdensome endeavour. Since they are not Tanzanian expenses, such as tuition and accommodation fees, they are paid in US dollars,” read the letter.
The student explained that they along with their peers work hard at a local hospital in Namibia and received study leave to advance their medical training.
In the letter, they requested financial assistance from the Ministry of Health and Social Services to cover essential educational expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, and other associated costs.
The health ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe, explained that while the ministry previously provided financial support for tuition fees, it no longer does so.
“The ministry does not budget for the payment of tuition fees; this responsibility lies with the students,” Nangombe stated.
He pointed out that while health professionals on study leave continue to receive their full salaries, they are responsible for their own tuition costs.
The matter was also addressed in a letter from the ministry to the students dated 29 September 2023 seen by the Windhoek Observer.
“Kindly be informed that the Ministry of Health and Social Services does not provide financial assistance. Please take note that you have been granted special study leave with full remuneration, whereby you receive your monthly salary for the period of your studies. This is to enable you to cover tuition fees, maintenance, medical, and incidental costs whilst on study leave,” read the letter.
Nangombe further explained that the ministry’s budget has specific allocations and cannot accommodate unbudgeted expenses.
“We cannot make provision for some and not for others. Where do we find the money if it’s not budgeted for?” he asked.
