The Medical Technologists Association of Guyana (MTAG) has expressed concern that its members were overlooked in Monday’s announcement by President Irfaan Ali of higher minimums for around 5,000 health care workers from doctors to pharmacists to nursing assistants.
In a statement yesterday MTAG said that it was perturbed that the increases did not encompass Medical Laboratory Technologists, Medical Laboratory Technicians or Phlebotomists.
“Medical Laboratory Professionals, specifically Medical Technologists, Medical Technicians and Phlebotomists, stand at the frontline of healthcare in Guyana. Both pre-COVID and every day, Medical Laboratory Technologists resolutely sacrifice to help sustain the delivery of healthcare across Guyana. Our role is critical in detecting and diagnosing not only COVID-19 but every other disease to help doctors navigate and prescribe appropriate modes of treatment in helping to save lives every day”, the statement from the organisation said.
It asked if there had been an inadvertent or erroneous omission of Medical Technologists from the list of healthcare workers receiving the salary increases and if so when it would be corrected.
“In recognition of these tireless efforts, we call on the Government of Guyana, to do the right thing, urgently, to include Medical Laboratory Technologists in the list of healthcare professionals to whom salary increases are given. This will not only show appreciation for our work (specifically during the height of COVID) but also help to attract and retain talent within our profession, ensuring that Guyana has a well-compensated and robust medical workforce to effectively respond to everyday health issues and future health emergencies and crisis such as COVID-19”, the organisation said.
