While lauding the government for its 2024 fiscal plan, Deputy Speaker Dr Asha Kissoon expressed disappointment that medical doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital are not earning livable wages and salaries in light of the conditions they work under to deliver efficient healthcare to citizens.
She told the 76th sitting of the National Assembly that while she was happy that the government was working assiduously to improve healthcare institutions countrywide, medical doctors who go above and beyond the call of duty deserve “better” wages and salaries.
Although she did not suggest what these salaries should be, Kissoon, during her budget presentation on day five (the final day), proposed that medical personnel should earn incomes that are competitive with what Caribbean healthcare institutions offer. “There must be a competitive salary scale to put us on a level playing field as the Caribbean,” she said.
She also noted that there is a tremendous need for adequate staffing at primary healthcare institutions due to the constant migration of medical doctors.
The New Movement (TNM) leader pointed out that doctors are not being paid overtime for the protracted hours they work. She noted that on weekends, doctors work 24-hour shifts, while on weekdays, shifts are 26 hours or even more. She also reminded that public service policy states that overtime should be paid.
However, the Ministry of Health in a statement in response to this said the doctor was “clearly misrepresenting the facts…” The ministry challenged the MP to “present us with evidence that a doctor working beyond regular hours is not remunerated either with on-call or overtime payment or with a local arrangement.
“Unless there is a specific kind of emergency, such as the unfortunate Mahdia incident, we are not aware that doctors work on a routine basis 16, 24 and 26 hours straight and are not paid overtime. While it is true that some doctors are assigned to cover periods that might extend to 16, 24 and 26 hours straight, doctors are not physically present in the clinics or in the wards for those numbers of hours in our hospitals.”
The Ministry of Health said Kissoon was obviously referring to on-call assignments and explained that in this case at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), multiple doctors per department, often as many as five to seven, were assigned for on-call duties. It added that in some regions, for logistical reasons, the doctors remained in the hospital compound, but only responded to see a patient if called out. “Because in some settings, the doctor may live on campus, they are at home and called if needed. At GPHC and several other hospitals, doctors are at home during on-calls,” the statement added.
It explained that on-call meant that doctors must make themselves available in case of an emergency at the hospital. They are paid a fixed sum which is currently from $4,000 to $5,500 for an on-call assignment. This covers a period between 4 pm and 8 am and many times, according to the ministry, the doctors are not called out.
“Where doctors must work with a physical presence beyond their shift, they are paid overtime at a rate of $2,000 per hour or, if it is in the ER department, between $2,700 to $4,500 per hour, depending on the level,” the ministry added.
According to the ministry in 2023, overtime for clinical staff, including doctors, amounted to more than $25 million per month at GPHC, compared to about $21 million per month in 2022. In addition, for 2023, on-call payments averaged more than $23 million per month.
Pointing out that Kissoon is a health worker, and a Ministry of Health doctor working in a health centre, the ministry said she must know that the dozens of doctors who work in the primary healthcare system in health centres do not work beyond the regular hours of the health centres. It added that although health centres are intended to be open between 8 am and 4 pm, many do not complete the whole shift.
“MP Kissoon will face a major challenge to convince the Guyanese public that health centres work 24 and 26 hours straight. We would like evidence that any doctor who is assigned to work in health centres physically is present for more than 8 hours per day. They also do not work on weekends,” the ministry added.
Social contract
Meantime, the Deputy Speaker, whose place in parliament is as a result of the TNM being on a joinder list with the Liberty and Justice Party and A New and United Guyana, posited that it must be recognised that a budget is not merely an economic blueprint, but a social contract that binds citizens to their aspirations and welfare.
“It is a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusive growth, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, and ensuring a brighter future for all Guyanese,” she said.
“As we embark on this critical discussion, let us reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the challenges ahead, and collectively commit ourselves to the principles of transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
“This budget is not just a compilation of numbers; it is a reflection of our values, priorities, and dedication to building a stronger and more resilient Guyana.”
She urged both government and opposition to engage in constructive dialogue, which will result in mindful decisions that will impact the lives of Guyanese.
The Deputy Speaker also touched on the vitriol and inappropriate behaviour demonstrated by parliamentarians during the budget debate. She stressed that the behaviours demonstrated did not reflect the principles governing the decorum of the House. She also asserted that both government and opposition should focus on debating policies and mechanisms that are solely people-oriented and not be embroiled in petty disputes.
“Over the last four days, I have sat in this honourable House paying keen attention to the various contributions
made by my honourable colleagues, and one thing has stood out, absolutely clear to myself and the Guyanese public, is that most presenters are more interested in winning an argument instead of representing our Guyanese people,” she said.
“There is a quote from Karl Popper that says, ‘The aim of argument should not be victory, but progress.’ What kind of progress is being displayed by the various exchanges? It appears to be a competition of who did it worse! Mr Speaker, as a young person I am tired of hearing about who rigged an election, tired of hearing that the Vice President is responsible for all the bad that happens in Guyana, and tired of the tit-for-tat politics. Myself and the Guyanese people anticipate discussions on programmes being implemented for our benefit, development of infrastructure and investment into our social systems.”
She expressed disappointment at the “theatrics” displayed and urged that they cease as parliamentarians must learn self-conduct.
Other areas
Turning her attention to the new income tax threshold of $100,000 announced in this year’s budget, Kissoon questioned whether it is enough. She said that while she welcomed the higher threshold, she believes that the government needs to raise the bar.
Turning her attention to the old age pension, the Deputy Speaker described it as unacceptable for the nation’s senior citizens. She pointed out that the old age pension was just about $17,000 when the APNU+AFC coalition took over in 2015, but when the PPP/C government took over in 2020, the figure moved from $33,000 to now $36,000 per month. “While there [have] been improvements, there is still more room for improvement for our elderly. These are people who worked their entire lives and we must thank them,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker also lobbied for teachers to receive better pay along with improved incentives such as duty-free concessions.
“While I appreciate everything that is being done for teachers, I am suggesting that this be revised and more be done for our teachers, especially the junior teachers,” she told the National Assembly. She noted that the majority of teachers, especially junior teachers, are paid approximately $90,000 per month. Those who reside or teach in the hinterland receive allowances of around $6,000 which was raised to $9,000, an amount that was just not enough.
Notably, Kissoon commended the government for its work in the housing and agriculture sectors.
“Mr Speaker, I stand here honestly and sincerely saying that I am proud of Ministers Rodrigues and Croal for what they have done and demonstrated to the people of Guyana. Thousands of persons have homes, and thousands of persons have access to financing. It is a basic need that is met for the people of Guyana,” she said.
Kissoon said that the $97.6 billion allocated for agricultural development was indeed laudable, as Guyana aims to play a crucial role in reducing the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025.
“I would like to acknowledge the Minister of Agriculture. Guyana is now the breadbasket of the Caribbean. We the people are proud… let us acknowledge that this is a plus for Guyana and the people of Guyana,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker also praised the Public Service Ministry for continuously rolling out the Guyana Online Academy of Learning Scholarship Programme, which she said benefited many young Guyanese.
“Over the last three years, 21,442 Guyanese were granted scholarships. This is a tremendous positive for Guyana. We must continue to foster academic growth. We must continue to support young people and everybody in the system who wants an education. I sincerely love that more is being invested into education,” she added.
