Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has confirmed that salaries owed to 16 doctors employed directly by the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital Authority have been paid, following protest action earlier this week over outstanding payments.
Speaking after a meeting on Wednesday with health officials and hospital management, Skerrit clarified the circumstances that led to the protest, saying the dispute concerned a specific group of doctors engaged by the authority rather than the wider medical staff at the hospital.
The Prime Minister said the payments had been processed and that the matter was being addressed. He met with health officials and hospital management to review the situation and to ensure that the outstanding salaries were settled.
The protest earlier this week drew attention to the concerns of the doctors, who had been awaiting payment for their work. The Dominica-China Friendship Hospital Authority employs a number of doctors directly, separate from those engaged through the public service.
Skerrit's statement sought to clarify what led to the protest, indicating that the issue was tied to the employment arrangements of the 16 doctors and the processing of their salaries. He said the payments have now been made.
The meeting on Wednesday brought together health officials and hospital management to discuss the matter and to prevent a recurrence. The Prime Minister's remarks followed the protest action, which highlighted the concerns of the doctors over the delay in receiving their salaries.
The Dominica-China Friendship Hospital is a key health facility in the country, and the timely payment of staff is important for the continued delivery of health services. The Government has said it is committed to ensuring that health workers are paid on time.
Further details on the meeting and the arrangements for the doctors' payments were not immediately available. The Prime Minister's statement provided clarification on the events that led to the protest and confirmed that the salaries have been paid.
3
