11 Apr 2012

17 nurses resign at CNMI hospital

8:23 am on 11 April 2012

In the Northern Marianas, 17 nurses at the Commonwealth Health Centre have officially tendered their resignations in the last few weeks.

Our correspondent says the resignations has heighten fears of a manpower shortage at the hospital in coming months.

The main reason cited by many of the outgoing nurses is their desire to withdraw their retirement contributions, which can only happen if they leave government service.

The Commonwealth's pension programme is on the verge of collapse and is currently projected to last only up to about three years if no solution is identified.

The many uncertainties at the hospital have also played a role in the en masse departure of nurses, including the delayed payroll, the lack of assurance and support from government, and most importantly the lack of medical tools and supplies to effectively carry out their duties.