Namibians studying medicine in Moscow, Russia, face an uncertain future after they were given a two-week deadline to pay outstanding tuition and hostel fees or face eviction from their hostels and possible deportation if the government does not send them money.
The 236 students were seen off to Russia by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Richard Kamwi, in October this year.
The effort to have them trained in Russia is to alleviate the shortage of doctors in the country.
The students however told The Namibian that the health ministry has not paid the university in Moscow for their tuition as well as for accommodation, triggering their fears for the future.
In a letter to the ministry, the students said the university had refused to renew their permits because of the non-payment of fees. Some of them were given a two-week ultimatum on Friday, by which day to pay up or be evicted.
The contract between the ministry and the students stipulates that the ministry will provide one return ticket, a study permit, registration and tuition fees, accommodation and meals as provided by the training institution.
Training kit and practical training, books and stationery, a monthly allowance and medical care, so the contract states, would also be provided by the ministry.
“We want the ministry to be honest and tell us what is going on. We are close to being deported. We paid 1 000 rubles (N$314) from our own pockets for the renewal of our Russian visas, which will expire in a month. We filled in forms and tried to submit them at the school for renewal, but our forms were rejected,” the letter said.
The students claimed that they had to wait for three weeks after arriving in Russia before the health ministry sent them money.
“And these amounts came in random quantities. Some students got N$2 500, others N$3 000, and N$3500 and even zero (dollars) until today.”
The students claimed their situation is so bad that one girl fainted in class because of hunger while a number were admitted in hospital after contracting pneumonia - perhaps due to the cold weather. However, a few students whose parents can afford, have coats, books, money and food.
“It is really bad here and I miss home. It snows heavily and we don’t have money to buy proper shoes and coats. We commute to class by bus and train and we have to pay for this. Sometimes there is no money and we miss class altogether,” said one student.
A concerned parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she didn’t understand why the ministry was not living up to its promises.
“We were told that the government will give our children full scholarships. They were also told not to take coats or money with them since everything would be provided when they arrived in Moscow. However, they were given nothing up to now,” the parent said.
According to the parent, a woman in charge of the program has not been honest with them regarding payment.
“We appreciate the gesture, but this is not the way to treat poor children in a foreign country,” the mother said.
Health ministry permanent secretary Andrew Ndishishi confirmed receiving the letter from the students, but said the accusations are false.
“The ministry has kept its promise to these students. They are just being unreasonable. Besides, there is a process through which to send money to Russia for their tuition and accommodation. It’s a long process. There will be a delegation going to Russia in a week to secure places from other universities.
-The Namibian
The 236 students were seen off to Russia by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Richard Kamwi, in October this year.
The effort to have them trained in Russia is to alleviate the shortage of doctors in the country.
The students however told The Namibian that the health ministry has not paid the university in Moscow for their tuition as well as for accommodation, triggering their fears for the future.
In a letter to the ministry, the students said the university had refused to renew their permits because of the non-payment of fees. Some of them were given a two-week ultimatum on Friday, by which day to pay up or be evicted.
The contract between the ministry and the students stipulates that the ministry will provide one return ticket, a study permit, registration and tuition fees, accommodation and meals as provided by the training institution.
Training kit and practical training, books and stationery, a monthly allowance and medical care, so the contract states, would also be provided by the ministry.
“We want the ministry to be honest and tell us what is going on. We are close to being deported. We paid 1 000 rubles (N$314) from our own pockets for the renewal of our Russian visas, which will expire in a month. We filled in forms and tried to submit them at the school for renewal, but our forms were rejected,” the letter said.
The students claimed that they had to wait for three weeks after arriving in Russia before the health ministry sent them money.
“And these amounts came in random quantities. Some students got N$2 500, others N$3 000, and N$3500 and even zero (dollars) until today.”
The students claimed their situation is so bad that one girl fainted in class because of hunger while a number were admitted in hospital after contracting pneumonia - perhaps due to the cold weather. However, a few students whose parents can afford, have coats, books, money and food.
“It is really bad here and I miss home. It snows heavily and we don’t have money to buy proper shoes and coats. We commute to class by bus and train and we have to pay for this. Sometimes there is no money and we miss class altogether,” said one student.
A concerned parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she didn’t understand why the ministry was not living up to its promises.
“We were told that the government will give our children full scholarships. They were also told not to take coats or money with them since everything would be provided when they arrived in Moscow. However, they were given nothing up to now,” the parent said.
According to the parent, a woman in charge of the program has not been honest with them regarding payment.
“We appreciate the gesture, but this is not the way to treat poor children in a foreign country,” the mother said.
Health ministry permanent secretary Andrew Ndishishi confirmed receiving the letter from the students, but said the accusations are false.
“The ministry has kept its promise to these students. They are just being unreasonable. Besides, there is a process through which to send money to Russia for their tuition and accommodation. It’s a long process. There will be a delegation going to Russia in a week to secure places from other universities.
-The Namibian
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