By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Communications Officer in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), John T. Allieu has told Politico that the Minister Dr. Austin Demby is having discussions with health officials over welfare and other concerns raised by a Coalition of Health Workers across the country, amidst threats of industrial action.
The coalition of Nurses, Community Health Officers, Pharmacists, and personnel of the Sierra Leone Medical Laboratory Association in a press statement expressed concerns over the inability of health authorities in Sierra Leone to address earlier issues raised.
A key concern according to the group has to do with fuel allocation.
The press statement addressed to the various health authorities including the Permanent Secretary, and the Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, recalled joint meetings with senior staff of both ministries of finance and health on issues bordering on the health workers’ welfare.
“In all of our engagements with you sir, lofty promises were made to address the welfare issues of our membership. In this regard, eligible staff from our rank were supposed to have been given their fuel quotas as provided for by the relevant government statutory instruments,” the statement noted.
The group also emphasized their demands for staff welfare/benefits as provided for in the Civil Service Code document regarding workers in the relevant grades and cadres.
This according to the news release includes, and most importantly, the provision of fuel “to eligible members starting from July 2022’’.
‘’Your seeming inability to address this important legitimate welfare issue can only be construed as insensitivity and disregard for our respective professions and plights”, the statement reads in part.
The coalition also expressed commitment to continue to serve the people of Sierra Leone but admitted it can only do be done effectively if their concerns are addressed.
“As such, we are giving 14 days’ notice to MoHS to address this fuel issue effective the date this letter is received. During this period, it is expected this issue will be given the attention it deserves,” noting that their next line of action will be informed by the outcome of the response.
Speaking to Politico, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Community Health Officers, Musa Silla said they had made the request together with the Medical doctors and that they agreed that all health workers from grade 9 in Sierra Leone are entitled to fuel allowance for their vehicles but since then, the said allowance has only be given to the medical doctors, leaving the other healthcare workers out.
He noted that their next line of action which will include downing of tools will be determined by the responses they will get from the authorities in that regard.
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