The Solomon Islands government has signalled a job freeze for new doctors and nurses in the country.
Photo: 123rf
Treasury had reportedly asked the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to delay the employment of new doctors and nurses until next year because of government cash-flow problems.
The job freeze could directly impact on Cuba-trained doctors and 200 nurses who graduated from nursing schools in Solomon Islands.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services described 'huge' demands by doctors for increases in their salaries and allowances.
The Solomon Islands Medical Association gave a 28-day notice that they would go on strike if their demands were not met and that notice lapsed last week.
The Health and Medical Services Permanent Secretary Tenneth Dalipanda said the association submitted its claims to the Ministry of Public Service and the Prime Minister's Office and not to his ministry.
Doctor Dalipanda said as a result, his Ministry cannot deal with the claims.
