The Allied Health Workers salary structure has not been finalised as yet but points of distinction need to be made to determine their salary structure.
Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum spoke on this matter at the 2017/2018 Budget Roadshow this week.
Sayed-Khaiyum says the Civil Service Reform Unit is looking into this matter after an issue was raised where the Fiji Society of Medical Imaging Technologists Council had expressed concern with the Ministry of Health regarding the high attrition rate, or brain drain of Medical Imaging Technologists in Fiji relating to poor pay and work conditions.
He says people with the skill set need to be retained in Fiji.
President of the Council, Manik Chand had written to the Ministry saying at the beginning of 2017, there were 103 Medical Imaging Technologists or radiographers practicing in Fiji at the various facilities of the Ministry of Health and private clinics.
The letter said the council has noted 20 resignations in the last 6 months and is expecting another 12 to migrate later in the year.
It said this is a cause for alarm as Fiji is losing skilled, competent and experienced professionals in the Medical Imaging field at an accelerated rate partially due to inadequate salaries and unsatisfactory working conditions.
The letter stated that although the vacancies are filled by new graduates, the concern is the loss of technologists who have extensive skill and experience especially in the field of ultrasound and other advanced imaging modalities as experience builds competency in the field of medical imaging.
The council requested all employers to take immediate steps in order to retain skilled Medical Imaging Technologists for quality health service delivery in Fiji.
Permanent Secretary for Health Philip Davies replied to the letter of concern.
Davies said the ministry cannot stand in the way of individuals who wish to pursue their careers overseas and who benefit from new professional and personal experiences
He said Medical Imaging Technologists will benefit from significant salary increases as a result of the whole‑of‑government review of civil service remuneration.
Davies said resource constraints limit the ministry’s ability to make major improvements to buildings and equipment but they do have an ongoing programme of investment in facilities.
The budget for the Ministry of Health in 2017/2018 is $321.2 million.
The increase of $77.2 million as compared to last year will contribute to the government’s effort to boost access to high quality medical services by investing in the upgrading and maintenance of existing health facilities, construction of new facilities and properly equipping all health facilities in the country.
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