Health ‘fails’ to pay tuition fees for students in Zambia

Lahja Nashuuta

About six Namibian medical students studying in Zambia under scholarships from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, say they are in financial distress as their tuition fees, accommodation and monthly allowances have not been paid consistently over the past two years.

The students, who are enrolled at Lusaka Apex Medical University and Cavendish University, spoke to New Era on condition of anonymity, saying they have exhausted their financial resources and are struggling to meet basic living expenses while trying to complete their medical training. “For nearly two years, our tuition fees have remained unpaid despite repeated assurances that payment would be processed,” one student said.

“As a result, we have spent much of our clinical training living with constant uncertainty. Before examinations or at the end of clinical rotations, we are often required to seek financial clearance from the university’s accounts office.

It is humiliating to be singled out in front of classmates and lecturers because our government has not met its financial obligations,” the students stressed.