The National Pay Commission (NPC) has announced that health workers can now receive exclusive service benefits if they agree to work at only one hospital. This move is part of the newly implemented pay framework that was introduced on May 1 and is expected to benefit over 3,000 workers in the health sector.
Dr. Mohamed Faizal, the Secretary General of the NPC, explained that specialist medical practitioners ranked 10 and above, sub-specialist medical practitioners, and dentists are eligible for the special allowance. The cash-by-cash allowance will be provided after the health workers sign an agreement to exclusively work at one hospital and take on more responsibilities.
The new pay framework has already increased the salaries of 14 senior sub-specialist consultants employed at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). However, there have been concerns raised by the public regarding specialist doctors at IGMH who also work at private clinics and medical centres.
In addition to the pay increase for health workers, the government has brought revisions to 9,838 workers in the health sector and increased the allowance of administrative workers by 35%. The salaries of social service sector employees, such as psychologists, counselors, and social workers, have also been revised. Furthermore, the government will provide an internship allowance for students pursuing medical and dental internships and introduce a scholarship loan program to support Maldivians in areas of the health sector that previously lacked Maldivian representation.
