Solomons’ Health Ministry Says Expired Contracts of Specialist Docs Will be Renewed

by Lamantha Lano

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services says only seven of the 38 specialist doctors it contracted have had their contracts expired at the end of June this year.

The other 31 are still working as normal.

The ministry clarified this following reports that contracts of 77% of the specialist doctors have expired and the ministry has done nothing about it.

Insiders claimed some are working without pay, while some have been fired.

And of those still working, their pay has been cut because the ministry feels they are overpaid.

“There’s already a severe shortage of doctors in Solomon Islands. Now it will potentially get exponentially worse as some are seeking jobs in PNG, Fiji and American Samoa,” say insiders.

However, the ministry said for the seven specialist doctors whose contracts have ended, four have had their three months extension approved by the Public Service Commission, whilst others will be sorted out in the coming weeks.

“They are not left dry as insinuated in some reports, but rather, a three-month extension has been granted to them,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The extension is to allow the ministry and Public Service to implement the recruitment and reengagement process,” the statement added.

On their salaries, the ministry said their basic salaries are being cut because their contracts have ended, however the allowances entitled to them are continually being paid so in essence they are currently receiving part of their pay.

“Once they are re-engaged, their basic salaries will be reinstated and backdated.

“These medical specialists are highly paid public servants and officers in the country.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, Luke Cheka has been quoted in the media as saying the Government is extending the contracts of specialist doctors for three months.

“We will then advertise these positions, and recruitment will be conducted through an open merit process,” Cheka explained.

He said that since 2015, some specialist doctors have pursued Master’s studies and returned, contributing to the healthcare sector.

Cheka said when the current specialists’ contracts expire in three months, they intend to open applications to other qualified specialists within the system.

“This approach aims to attract qualified specialists and ensure equitable opportunities.”

Meanwhile, the ministry said specialist doctors are amongst the highly paid public servants and officers in Solomon Islands.

“They have their basic paid salaries remunerated at Super Scale level, and given the nature of their work and their work environment, they are entitled to 12 specialist allowances and benefits including the following: