The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Department of Health in Limpopo is developing a habit of abandoning students supported through its bursary programmes for medical studies.

Reports indicate that the Limpopo Health Department failed to pay bursary fees and fulfil funding commitments for accommodation, books and food for 30 Limpopo medical students at the University of Witwatersrand. A further 300 students, including nursing students, are alleged to be facing a similar dilemma.

This comes on the back of the desertion of nine Limpopo medical students studying in Cuba as part of the South Africa-Cuba health co-operation agreement. The Cuba crisis was only resolved after significant public pressure.

The National Minister of Health must explain why his department appears unconcerned about the well-being of young people that they have recruited to participate in publicly funded bursary schemes.

The Limpopo Health Department has been under national administration since December last year. The National Department of Health is therefore in a position to ensure that urgent steps are taken.

How can we expect learners to truly excel if they are continually abandoned? How can they focus on their studies if they are hungry or concerned about whether or not they will be coming home or be allowed to take their exams because their fees are not paid?

I will be submitting questions to the Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, to determine the full extent of the Department’s failure to fulfil its obligations to medical students in its bursary programmes and what preventative steps are being put in place to avoid similar situations in the future.

In addition, I will be writing to the Chairperson of the Health Portfolio Committee, Dr. Monwabisi Bevan Goqwana, to request that Minister Motsoaledi briefs the committee on the systems in place to ensure that students on departmental bursary schemes receive appropriate support.

The people of Limpopo need health care professionals and our youth need jobs.

The Department cannot be allowed to forsake the doctors of tomorrow through administrative incompetence.