The Ministry of Health has revoked internship placements for 348 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students, citing failure to meet official graduation and clearance requirements.
In a statement released on Monday, the ministry said the decision was reached after a thorough review of both the Public Service Commission Internship Policy (2016) and its own internship guidelines for healthcare professionals issued in February 2020.
The affected students had been assigned internship positions but had not yet officially graduated or secured clearance from their professional regulatory body. According to the Ministry, this made them ineligible under current policy.
Internship placements in the public health sector are only granted to individuals who have completed all academic requirements and are fully cleared. “The Ministry is committed to fairness and integrity in the placement process,” the statement read.
The government offers 2,000 BScN internship slots annually. These are managed through a coordinated interagency process involving budgeting, workforce planning and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
While the revocation has raised concern among affected students and training institutions, the Ministry has stood firm, reiterating that adherence to established procedures is essential for maintaining standards and ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible graduates.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon Aden Duale emphasized the Ministry’s continued commitment to supporting the professional growth of healthcare workers through structured internships, but added that such opportunities must be reserved for those who meet the full eligibility criteria.
The Ministry did not indicate when new internship opportunities for the affected students would be considered.
