A statement from the Ministry of Health reveals that government has commenced payment of the abated nurses trainee allowances which it earlier promised to start paying since July 21. Payment of the promised abated nurses trainee allowances is beginning barely three weeks to the December 7 elections.
According to the statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Tony Goodman, the payment is a temporary one which is meant to bridge the gap created by the transition from payment of allowances to the use of the Students Loan Scheme. The amount agreed upon is GHC150 per month, which will be payed for three months before the trainee nurses will be able to have access to the Students Loan Scheme just like other students in the tertiary institutions.
Also Read: NDC Repents; Admits Scrapping of Trainee Nurses Allowance Was an Error
Government’s decision to scrap trainee nurses allowance had stirred up protests from the students across the country. The government has also so far received untold criticisms from various groups and individuals over the decision, especially those of the opposition, over the decision.
Even after government announced their plans to start paying the student nurses, many perceived it as a gimmick to win votes against the imminent elections.
However, President Mahama has denied all the claims, giving out reasons to justify the scrapping of the allowances and the change of decision to pay them respectively. For the former, the President had argued that the scrapping of the allowances is necessary to enable the intake of more students into the nursing colleges as it has since been regulated as a result of the burden of paying the allowances. And for the latter, he argued that while the government worked towards the law to allow the migration of trainee nurses onto the Students’ Loan Trust Fund, there was a need to keep paying the allowance.
GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED PAYMENT OF THE ABATED NURSES TRAINEE ALLOWANCES
The Ministry of Health on July 21, 2016 announced government’s decision to pay an abated Nurses Trainee Allowance as a stopgap measure to the introduction of Students Loan Scheme in the various Nursing Training Colleges.
The Nursing Colleges have begun payment of these allowances through the School’s Finance Offices due to the locations of the schools and the amount involved.
The untaxed amount is One Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GHC150.00) per student for three months making a total amount of Four Hundred and Fifty Ghana Cedis (GHC450.00) per student.
This was a recommendation by the Technical Committee set up by the HE President to review the Nursing Trainee Allowance Policy. The payment as mentioned earlier is to serve as a bridging mechanism pending the amendment of the Students Loan Trust Act, to enable Students in Non tertiary Health Training Institutions access Loans.
All accountants are advised to pay the amount in full without any deductions. Any person found doing otherwise will be dealt with.
The Ministry of Health will continue to seek the outmost interest of our trainee nurses.
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