ABOUT 300 paramedics and doctors, who served at National Referral Hospital during the ethnic conflict from 1998-2003 on Guadalcanal are demanding compensation from the government.
They are asking the government to pay each of them $300,000 – a request if granted would cost tax payers about $90 million.
The submission came after the government paid $3m as goodwill payments to the ex-militants on Christmas Eve last year.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said at that time the payment to ex-militants was part of settling their long overdue payments.
A well placed source in PMO confirmed to Solomon Star, the Prime Minister had received another submission from the nurses and doctors.
“The PM has another task to address in his term with the demand before him,” the source added.
A member of the Ethnic Tension Taskforce, which represents the medical workers, said they have not finalised talks with Ministry of Health and Medical Services yet.
He said the idea behind the move is for the government to recognise medical workers who risked their lives during the ethnic tension.
“Some of the workers experienced threats and harassment during the conflict,” he said.
He said more details should be made available by end of this month.
However, Solomon Islands Nursing Association (SINA) disassociates itself from the group, who made the submission to the PMO.
SINA president, Macnolb Tau said the group is represented by a sub-committee who demands $300,000 for each member.
However, Mr Tau said SINA has nothing to do with the demand and decided to stay out from it.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
