I am writing on behalf of university students attending B.Sc (Hons) Midwifery Studies. We want to express our disappointment that our colleagues in the B.Sc Nursing 2005/6 intake who are attending the same classes as we are, have had their stipend increased from Lm36 every four weeks to Lm63. We believe we are eligible to the same stipend scheme for the following reasons:

To begin with, we have the same timetable and the same credits as nursing students as well as additional credits due to our specialisation in midwifery.

During both the scholastic and summer periods we work the same number of hours; that is 360 hours and 300 hours respectively.

We are unable to take a part-time job during the summer period due to the compulsory shift roster we are required to work (day, day, night, rest, off).

We find ourselves in this difficult situation even during the winter period when our time has to be divided between work, studies and travelling. We are a total of 20 students, five of whom are Gozitan.

We have the same travelling expenses as the nursing students, which is approximately Lm16 per month.

At present we are spending even more as we have to attend certain lectures being held at the university campus at Tal-Qroqq.

Being B.Sc students just like any other university student attending a B.Sc course oriented in the sphere of sciences, we believe that we do qualify for this higher rate of stipend, that is Lm63 every four weeks and a Lm300 smart card.

We have been informed that the reason some students are receiving a higher stipend is that the country is in greater need of nurses due to the number of vacancies in Mater Dei Hospital.

We would like to point out that since the maternity wards at Mater Dei are going to be run exclusively by midwives, the need for midwives is just as necessary. This is evident by the fact that the course has opened to applicants for three consecutive years, whereas before this course was offered on alternate years.

Even though the need for midwives may increase, our course will retain the policy of numerus clausus due to the need of individual training and practice, as well as the limited number of normal vaginal deliveries. This can be clearly seen in the course requirements.

It is true that, being students, our plight could easily be overlooked. Yet, we strongly believe that our current academic training forms an integral part of the health sector for the coming years. This is a difficult situation we have to deal with because financially, as the years go by, it will be more difficult to incorporate studies and cope with the increasing cost of living.

Claire Ingolotti

Obo Midwifery students