By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Ministry of Health is stating it is not aware of any policy directives issued by the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) to cease hiring or to arbitrarily terminate staff contracts.
In the absence of appointed RHA boards, the chief executive officers under the oversight of the Ministry of Health continue to manage human resource matters responsibly.
This includes ensuring that staffing levels remain aligned with the service delivery goals of each institution, while also operating within their financial realities, the ministry stated in a media release on Tuesday.
The ministry stated, “This prudent oversight is especially important in light of the RHAs’ collective request for approximately $400 million in additional funding to address aged payables, submitted for the Mid-Year Budget Review.”
The ministry has maintained ongoing dialogue with the RHAs to ensure operational continuity, including the continuation of new hires and contract renewals, pending the appointment of the RHA boards, the release stated.
The ministry said it has been assured that these administrative measures have not affected patient care or the delivery of essential health services, as the health and well-being of citizens remain “foremost priority.”
Speaking at an Opposition press conference on Monday, Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi said he had received confirmation that within the RHAs, workers who were contracted during the Covid-19 pandemic, were not having their contracts renewed.
