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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Jan 2008 : 20:18:37
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Risk Allowances of Nurses Unpaid Since September
By Lamin Fatty
Nurses employed by the state have continued to complain to this reporter that their risk allowance meant to stem the attrition rate of nurses in the state sector, has not been paid since September 2007. According to a senior nursing officer in Basse, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the said nurses, the risk allowance for the nurses in the state sector was a result of the concern over the high attrition of nurses in the state sector, which he said is the highest among all the government departments. The spokesperson explained that once a high attrition rate was acknowledged in the sector, a risk allowance was created. But, he added, since September, 2007 they have not been paid any risk allowance.
He stressed that the cost of living is generally high, especially for those living in the rural areas such as the teachers and nurses whose salary scale, he said, does not commensurate with the type of work and the condition under which they work. He stated that nurses working in the rural areas are worse off than nurses in the urban centres. He pointed out that they are sacrificing a lot but cannot continue to sacrifice until they fail their families, stating that this is the reason why nurses are leaving for greener pastures. He said they are therefore calling upon the authorities to do their best to solve their problems, otherwise they may be compelled to go on strike in the future which, according to him, would have a lot of negative consequences.
When contacted for his opinion on the matter, the Regional Health Officer, Mr. Saikouna Sanyang, declined to comment and referred this reporter to the Director of Planning. When contacted, the Director of Planning also referred this reporter to the Chief Nursing Officer, stating it is not his domain.
The Chief Nursing Officer at the health department, Mr. Ismaila Njie, was contacted. He confirmed the report to Foroyaa in a telephone interview. He pointed out that the nurses’ risk allowances had always been given to the nurses for a long time by the government until September 2007. Mr. Njie described the new allowance as a baby which is growing and needs time. He, however, urged the nurses to be patient, indicating that they are just waiting for money raised from treasury bills. He said whenever they receive it their allowance will be given to them.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 13/2008, 30 – 31 January 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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