THE medical and dental doctors have received seven allowances under their entitlements.
Thats according to the breakdown provided by Minister of Health and Medical Services, Dr Paul Popora Bosawai in Parliament when asked by Chairman of Health and Medical Services Committee and Member of Parliament for West Kwaraáe, Alfred Tuasulia this week.
Minister Bosawai said under the current Solomon Islands Medical Association (SIMA) scheme of service, medical and dental doctors are entitled the following allowances besides their base salaries:
- Provincial posting bonuses (20% of basic salary/fortnight)
- Special Duty Allowances (33% of mean salary/fortnight)
- Multi Allowance (25% of mean salary/fortnight)
- Danger allowance ($390 per fortnight/fortnight)
- Dirty Allowance ($390 per fortnight/)
- Retention supplement (25% of basic salary per fortnight)
- Transport ($3,000 claimed once every 3 years)
He said, for nurses, the following allowances are being paid under the current Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) scheme of service:
- Special Duty Allowance (37% of mean salary/fortnight)
- Multi Allowance (30% of mean salary/fortnight)
- Provincial Posting ($250/fortnight to provincial centers, $300/fortnight to rural health centers and 500/fortnight to remote rural health clinics
- Danger Allowance ($390/fortnight)
- Risk and Dirty Allowance ($390/fortnight)
- Housing (as per public service rental scheme entitlements)
Minister Bosawai said for Solomon Islands Allied Health Associations (SIAHA), under its current Scheme of Service, it has the following allowances:
- Special Duty Allowance (33% of mean salary/fortnight)
- Danger allowance ($350/fortnight)
- Dirty Allowance ($350/fortnight)
- Housing (as per public service percentage)
However, for the support and corporate service, he said at present, there is no scheme of services for this cadre.
“However, in 2020/2021, and for the first time, support and corporate service staff have started receiving their Special Duty Allowance (25% of mean salary/fortnight) and is up for review,” he added.
Currently, there are around 251 medical doctors who work in the public service.
These include 179 (71%) at NRH, 68 (27%) in the provinces and 4 (2%) at MHMS head office.
Meanwhile, there are 1,688 registered nurses and nurse aides actively posted in the urban and rural health centers in the country.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
Solomon Star, Honiara