Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has clarified that salary packages and unpaid overtime for doctors at the Ministry of Health are tied to the merging the National Health Service (N.H.S.) and the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) finalised in 2019.
Fiame made the comments in Parliament yesterday over concerns Sagaga No. 2 M.P. Maulolo Tavita Amosa raised about the ongoing negotiations between the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Health.
Maulolo cited the need to consider the doctor’s work day and night to ensure efficient healthcare service, hence the need for them to be compensated, including overtime.
Fiame explained in Parliament that PSC is working with Health on their salary packages and overtime rates.
She said before the merger, the National Health Services oversaw their salary packages and rates; however, when the merge was finalized, the PSC took over NHS’s remuneration. This is where the problem is, as the salaries and overtime rates were not addressed during the merge; hence actions are being taken to address this.
As reported earlier, Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Nonu Lemauga Saleimoa Vaai has clarified the PSC’s position on the going negotiations with the Ministry of Health proposals for overtime for medical staff and nurses and associated issues.
The government media reported that Nonu made it clear that contrary to media reports, PSC is not “cutting overtime” for doctors and nurses, and negotiations are continuing with the Ministry of Health.
He said conditions under the law govern SOEs under the Board of Directors. Overtime is paid but only for permanent staff.
He told Savali their priority is the service, and this is by finalizing the MoH Merger from 2019.
