Malawi govt bow down to health workers pressure: Revises upward risk allowances

April 20, 2020 Elijah Phimbi & Alfred Chauwa- Nyasa Times 14 Comments

Malawi government has finally bowed down to pressure from frontline health workers  by revising upwards  their  risk allowance amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Health Minister Jappie Mhango  (r) says risks allowances revised upwards and  several measures had been taken to deal with the strike including recruiting thousands of new hospital staff.

The development comes after the health workers staged a sit-in strike across the country since last weekend demanding review of their risk allowance.

.“I am pleased to inform you that the treasury has approved the revised risk allowance for Health workers which will be effective 1st April, 2020” reads part of a statement signed by chief director in the ministry of health Bestone Chisamile.

According to the statement, the revised rates are only applicable during the period of the Corona pandemic.

The least who were getting K1,000 will now be pocketing K20,000 while those that were getting K1,800 will be getting up to K60,000 according to their grades.

Minister of Health Jappie Mhango also commented about he revised health risk allowances during the news conference.

“The Ministry of Health engaged various associations to get their input to the rates and government has responded based on that guidance.

“Government has therefore released a circular on the rates to cover this area. All our public health care workers will start receiving this from this month of April,” the minister said.

Mhango said government is working “tirelessly” to ensure that both the patient and health care workers are protected.

Apart from risk allowances, the health workers  are complaining about poor work conditions, being overworked and lacking safety equipment to protect them against coronavirus.

Mhango said currently the ministry has recruited 755 health workers from the 2000 that President Peter Mutharika ordered and the recruitment is expected to be finalised this week.

Access to public healthcare services in Malawi is free – it is mostly used by the majority of the country’s population who are poor.

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14 replies on “Malawi govt bow down to health workers pressure: Revises upward risk allowances”

  1. Okay, Health workers work hard tirelessly to save lives. They are not greedy and should be given what is theirs for the hard work they do under unfavourable and risky conditions! It is the politicians that are greedy, receiving fat envelops by way of fake allowances for doing nothing! They make parliament look like a kindergarten school!

    2. That will be an exceptional case for MW. The health sector contribution is great for every sector. Revisit Ur facts pliz. Consider the majority of the population that is poor. Don’t tell me anthuonse akumudzi Keanu Ali pa masm

  4. ” “All our public health care workers will start receiving this from this month of April,” the minister said.”
    .
    Today is 21-April. Who in their right mind believes that GoM can organise the new rates so that the health staff have the money in their hands within the next nine days?

  5. While some Malawians face risk of bankruptcy and retrenchment others are getting fat payslips. Profiting from crises no morality at all. This exponential growth of allowance shows health workers are greedy and just want to profit at a time of suffering. From 1k to 60k shame on you

    1. I think your comments stinks jealousy & fixed view of current trends. While almost all professionals are working at home or enjoying long holidays, health workers are still working as usual. They have no option for working from home yet those at home want the health workers to help them & their family in this scary times.

      Health workers are humans too with families, future, dream & careers. Above all, they want to live too. They’re justified to demand better working conditions. After this public health emergency is over, the huge allowance will be revised downwards

      2. That’s malepwe for u, smiling all the way from the hospital to the bank at time of pandemic. has no spirit of Florence nightingale

    2. If they are putting their lives in harm’s way to save yours then it’s worth every penny…better spent than giving allowances to thieving MPs.

    1. You can say that again, these guys, Doctors and Nurses knew whom they were dealing with baba!
      Congratulations, go back to work ladies and gentlemen. Wishing you all the best, be safe, serve and save.
      Full scale Baba!

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