Until the next pay commission is instituted nothing can be done to increase the incentive packages of the health professionals, the Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay said in the National Assembly, today.
The Panbang MP, Dorji Wangdi, during the question hour session, had asked about the mechanisms to retain senior and experienced nurses. He said there is a dire shortage of health professionals in the country.
Lyonchhen said the number of professionals leaving the job is increasing over the years. He said, the government recognizing the importance of health professionals, gives a monthly allowance ranging from 10-40 percent of their salary. On top of that, the Prime Minister said, they are also given uniform allowance of Nu 4,500.
“Till the third pay commission is instituted, we cannot decide on their salary and perks although it is of utmost importance.”
The Lamgong-Wangchang MP, Khandu Wangchuk said the third pay commission should be careful not to broaden the gap between the top-level officials and those at the lower level of civil service strata.
“During the second pay commission, we received a lot of criticism saying that the high officials got more raise and officials from the lower level, less.”
The Prime Minister said during the second pay commission, no one brought up the issue of nurses being paid less. “Moreover, the present government did nothing more than what the previous government had already decided on the second pay commission.”
Today, there are over 900 nurses in the country and the requirement till 2020 is said to be about 1,500.
