Ministry attempts to address strike plan
THE demand by doctors to increase their salaries and allowances by 60 to 70 per cent is huge.
Thats according to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) permanent secretary Dr Tenneth Dalipanda when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing recently.
Dr Dalipanda was responding to questions asked by PAC representative Connelly Sandakabatu regarding the 28 days strike notice issued by the Solomon Islands Medical Association (SIMA).
The permanent secretary said MHMS was unable to discuss the strike with SIMA because the association went straight to the Ministry of Public Service and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He said SIMA should first discuss the doctors’ demands with the MHMS.
“The issue should be dealt with at the ministerial level so that their demands could be justified to convince the government for an increase, but SIMA want to go straight to PMO and MPS,” Dr Dalipanda said.
He said the demand by the doctors is too big.
“We did not stop doctors from pursuing their demand, but our concern was to put things right based on the reasons for increase to their entitlements.
“SIMA argued on the costs of living in Honiara as the reason for their demand for an increase.
“…this may have serious impact on the current weak financial position of the government,” the permanent secretary said.
He added that the matter should have been brought to the Trade Dispute Panel (TDP) but SIMA opted to take the matter straight to the PMO.
SIMA had warned that failure to address their grievances may result in doctors going on strike.
Mr Sandakabatu has expressed concerned that the strike would seriously affect the lives of our people.
The North West Choiseul MP said relevant authorities need to address this issue.
However, Dr Dalipanda said the ministry had made attempts to come together and discuss the matter with SIMA but were not able to meet.
He said the contracted doctors were not affected by this strike plan and World Health Organisation (WHO) is willing to pay for expert they contracted to work here.
He also said SIMA’s demands were particularly on government’s failure to review the doctors’ scheme of service which should be reviewed after five years, but in this case it is now 10 years.
SIMA’s 28 days strike notice will lapse today.
By AATAI JOHN
