The National Pay Commission (NPC) has said the newly implemented pay framework will allow health workers to receive benefits if they agree to be employed exclusively at one hospital.
At a press conference, the Secretary General of the NPC Dr. Mohamed Faizal said the exclusive service benefits are eligible for specialist medical practitioners ranked 10 and above, sub-specialist medical practitioners, and dentists. He said that the special allowance will be provided by the pay commission on a cash-by-cash basis after they sign an agreement to exclusively work at one hospital and accept more responsibilities.
The recently implemented pay framework has increased the salaries of 14 senior sub-specialist consultants employed at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) to USD4,700-USD6,400. The public has raised concerns about specialist doctors at IGMH also working at private clinics and medical centres.
The new pay framework for the health sector implemented on May 1 is expected to benefit over 3,000 workers. The government has brought revisions to 9,838 workers in the health sector and increased the allowance of administrative workers by 35%. The government has also brought revisions to the salaries of social service sector employees, including psychologists, councilors, and social workers, and will begin providing an internship allowance for students who pursue medical and dental internships and introduce a scholarship loan program to equip Maldivians in areas of the health sector previously lacking Maldivian representation.