Gov’t to reintroduce overtime payments for nurses

May 13, 2017 News

Yesterday, March 12, was International Nurses Day, and while the profession continues to have its challenges locally, there is at least one thing to celebrate.

Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence (centre) poses with some of the nurses (Photo credit: Aubrey Odle)

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has announced that overtime payment will be reintroduced for nurses. The good news came during the International Nurses Day Rally in Georgetown.
Ministry Lawrence said that she is well aware of the challenges being faced by those within the profession, but promised to do everything she can to improve the working standards, especially when it comes to monetary compensation for hard work.
“Nurses will be compensated for their hours of work, even if it entails paying overtime. You must be compensated,” Lawrence said to those gathered at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Hall, Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
No significant details were provided on the reintroduction of overtime payment, which was controversially stopped by the previous administration.
“Ending overtime payment has been a bone of contention among government workers,” a statement from the Ministry quoted Lawrence as saying, adding that the Minister’s announcement was greeted with loud applause.
Ending verbal and physical abuse of health care workers dominated themes explored in the Minister’s discourse with the nurses.
Lawrence reflected on the recent abuse of doctors and nurses at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). She referred to the incident as being “unacceptable”.
“We are going to deem every hospital and health centre, a sacred ground” Lawrence told them.
Since the last attack, the Ministries of Health and Public Security have agreed to beef up security at the health institution.
Yesterday’s rally was held to honour nurses from all 10 administrative regions of Guyana for their valuable contributions to Guyana’s public health sector. Nurses were awarded for excellence and punctuality, excellence in patient care, years of service, willingness and dedication of services and for maintaining high standards of quality care in nursing.
International Nurses Week 2017 was observed under the theme – “Nurses: A voice to Lead- Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” (SDGs).
Lawrence praised the local nurses for helping Guyana to fulfil its part of the global SDG pact.
“I see your role intrinsically and primarily linked to the Ministry of Public Health’s mandate which envisions the adequate provision and delivery of primary health care and the enhancement of the well-being of all our citizens – Goal # 3 of the SDGS which advocates the strengthening and improvement in the quality of health care services to all communities in all ten administrative regions of our country,” she told the nurses.

CITY HALL HONOURS
Even though the Georgetown Mayor and City Council is still cash-strapped, efforts were made to honour those within the profession.
About a dozen nurses and midwives were recognised, during a simple ceremony to mark their contributions to the city. The health workers were not only treated to lunch, but were pleasantly surprised by the presentation of envelopes containing cheques. The amount written on the cheques were not made known.
Nonetheless, the nurses were very happy, and expressed gratitude for the recognition.

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