The Eastern Cape Department of Health management led by the newly appointed Dr Siva Pillay met the provincial Student Representative Council of Lilitha Colleges of the Eastern Cape during the march by students to the provincial head office of the Eastern Cape Department of Health.
The students handed a memorandum to the superintendent-general complaining about a range of issues which resulted in a meeting between the superintendent–general and management and the leadership of the students. There was general understanding amongst all parties in the meeting about the crucial role played by Lilitha College in the production of nurses who are desperately needed in the Eastern Cape. There was also appreciation of the fact that the Eastern Cape Department of Health has remained committed to its mandate to train nurses that will serve communities in this province.
The department recognises the challenges facing nurse education and training not only in this province but countrywide. It is for this reason that the department, together with the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Atlantic Philanthropy, have embarked on a three-year project to improve the quality of nurse training at Lilitha College.
Atlantic Philanthropy has donated R13,8 million over this period to supplement the budget allocated by the department. The project started in 2009 and it is still in progress. Notwithstanding, the issues raised by the student delegation have been tabled and the department is committed to engaging on these issues so that the college produces the highest quality of students and will become a centre of excellence that sets the standard for nurse training countrywide.
There was also an appreciation of the fact that whilst the students were studying, they get a stipend of R5 500 per month, pay R1 500 per annum towards their studies and pay R500 towards rent per month.
The meeting ended off agreeing to reconvene on 1 February in Port Elizabeth so that all the issues raised by the students could be thrashed out.
More information:
Mr Sizwe Kupelo
Cell: 083 378 0196
Siyanda Manana
Cell: 083 378 1646
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
22 January 2010
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
(http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
