The PPP/C government is hopeful that the recent announcement of a 74 percent salary increase for public healthcare workers will help to attract and retain high-quality professionals. Specifically making this intention known were Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony and Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Health Minister said in an interview that the increases will help with the ever-growing problem of brain drain in the sector. He pointed specifically to healthcare professionals leaving for betterment in other countries.
“I don’t believe that these professionals left because they wanted to leave Guyana. They left because they felt that they had better opportunities abroad. But with these changes, the environment to practice medicine is improved,” Dr. Anthony said.
Dr. Anthony said that coupled with continuous training and investment in equipment, Guyana’s healthcare system will be able to compete with the rest of the world.
“We have often spoken about this comprehensive approach to health and what you’ve seen here with the President’s announcement of the salary increase, is that we are looking at it in its totality.” Dr. Anthony said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Singh noted that close to $1.5B will be paid out annually to professionals.
He referred to the salary increase for healthcare workers as “phase two” of what is expected to make the public sector more attractive for young professionals that are already in the field or for those desirous of joining.
“Not only are we investing in bricks and mortar… this announcement of increases is a manifestation of the government’s initiative to invest into every avenue and sector in this country,” Singh said.
