The overtime pay for medical imaging technologists, senior pharmacy technicians, biomedical technical officers, dental technicians, junior physiotherapists, health inspectors, tobacco control enforcement officers, supervisor dietitians and medical laboratory scientists will cease today.
In a circular sent to Medical Superintendents, Divisional Medical Officers and Heads of Cost Centres, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Jemesa Tudravu, says the approval for overtime payment for Allied Health Band F positions was granted by the Public Service Commission for six months effective from 7th November 2024.
He says following the recruitment of the 2024 Allied Health graduates and qualified Allied Health Practitioners, they have noted an improvement in staff numbers in a number of cadres.
He says an updated current Allied Band F establishment status has been sent to the Ministry of Civil Service as a result of the review for the last six months, and the Ministry will await the outcome.
Meanwhile, in November last year, radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals and health centres started closing at 4.30pm after a circular from the Ministry of Civil Service.
The circular from the Ministry of Civil Service said that this is because of non-payment of Overtime for Band F staff, these officers will be utilizing their owing hours or Time-Off In Lieu (TOIL).
Staff have been told to take their time off but due to their shortage in numbers, questions were asked who will work if these staff members take their days off.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad had said at the time that there is no shortage of funds for the Ministry of Health to ensure that all the services and equipment are available in the hospitals.
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