Minister for Health, Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete says medical officers that work 36 hours a week, irrespective of the shifts should bring their own meals.
Waqainabete says those doctors and nurses that work beyond these hours will then be able to request for meals.
SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula
He made this clarification in parliament after SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula questioned why free meals have been taken away for doctors and nurses.
Waqainabete says the decision regarding meals was made by the Permanent Secretary for Health in regards to the general orders that are in place.
Meanwhile, Waqainabete says they will continue acquiring the services of private general practitioners and specialists to address the increasing patient numbers at densely populated health facilities.
Waqainabete has revealed in parliament that 39 local general practitioners and specialists from the private sector are providing support in public service health and are supplementing the work of around 800 doctors who work under the Ministry of Health.
He says these private doctors are providing support during the busiest periods.
He says since October 2016, they have had this program in place and have also revised the rates for local appointments.
Waqainabete says based on current arrangements, private general practitioners are paid $50 per hour irrespective of how many patients they see while private specialists are paid $80 an hour where they work maximum of 20 hours per week with the Ministry.
He says these rates have proved effective providing incentive for private general practioners and specialists to support Ministry of Health.
Waqainabete says since 2016, the revised rates have led to shorter waiting times for patients at health facilities.
To date the Ministry of Health has spent $6 million on local private doctors and $2.5 million has been set aside in the 2019/2020 National Budget for private doctor appointments.
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