The Ministry of Health has asked three heads of Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges in the country to step aside as it begins investigations into allegations of extortions from students.
The institutions are Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Mampong Nursing and Midwifery Training College as well as the School of Dispensing Optics, Oyoko. The heads of the three schools allegedly charged their students exorbitant and unapproved fees without recourse to regulations of the National Nursing and Midwifery Secretariat on fees.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Wednesday August 31, Sector Minister, Alex Segbefia described the trend as unacceptable, and advised other institutions to desist from such acts or face punitive actions.
Mr Segbefia told the media: “The arbitrary charging of fees in the institutions in the 2016/17 academic year is a matter of great concern. This practice has escalated to the extent that some schools are adding extra items as additional levies for the academic year; example, cement, electronic systems fees, stationery among others.”
“We are unhappy about this practice because the exorbitant nature of such fees is defeating the purpose of getting those genuinely interested in providing healthcare into the institutions as against those who can afford it. This will ultimately result in the production of professionals whose dedication to duty will be in question.
“We have also learnt that some of the Christian Health Association of Ghana Schools are charging an extra GHS500 as logistics support which is unacceptable. We ask that such monies should be refunded to the students with immediate effect. In view of this, the heads of the following colleges are directed to step aside for further investigations into this scandal – Mampong Nursing and Midwifery College, Cape Coast Nursing and Midwifery College and School of Dispensing Optics, Oyoko. All other nursing training institutions are being monitored and further actions may be taken regarding other schools,” Mr Segbefia said.
He said: “The Ministry of Health will not tolerate any institution under its mandate disregarding laid down policies and procedures. Mampong Nursing and Midwifery College has consistently been in the media as to whether it is a Ministry of Health institution or not. I want to state clearly that the school is a full-fledged Ministry of Health institution and this has been checked and clarified with the CEO of Christian Health Association of Ghana Schools and other stakeholders. Henceforth, the authorities of the schools should abide by all laid down rules and regulations of the Ministry”.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
