Ministry to set new rate for state doctors

Stipend to be based on number of patients, instead of remoteness of area

Medical workers under the Public Health Ministry were up in arms after the state decided to reset their allowance rate.

The allowance currently paid to medical workers depends on how remote the area under their jurisdiction is, while the new rate will be based on how many patients they serve.

The new rate will be implemented from April 1.

"Medical workers who work |hard deserve to be paid more," Public Health Ministry's permanent |secretary, Dr Narong Sahamethapat, said.

NEW RATE TO BE LAUNCHED IN |10 HOSPITALS FIRST

According to Narong, some 10 provincial hospitals such as the one in Nakhon Ratchasima province's Sung Noen district and Chachoengsao's Phanom Sarakham district will start paying the new rate, while the remaining hospitals will be given three months to review the new allowance.

The Association of Hospital Pharmacy also wrote to Narong yesterday to voice its full support for the new rate.

Pratin Huengwattanakul, a pharmacist at Phra Nang Klao Hospital who led a group of other hospital pharmacists, said basing the allowance on the area where people worked was not fair.

"Some medical workers are being paid a higher allowance even if the area they work at is no longer remote," he said.

However, he suggested that the ministry set clear regulations, such as basing the rate on performance, risks and knowledge.

SCHEME 'NOT FAIR' TO |RURAL DOCTORS

The Rural Doctor's Society, meanwhile, is strongly opposing the plan.

Dr Arak Wongworachart, |director of the hospital in Nakhon Si Thammarat Sichon district, said the new plan was not fair to |doctors who worked in rural areas, adding that if the ministry went ahead with this new rate more doctors would quit provincial hospitals to work in private outfits.

He added that the network would rally outside Government House on Monday to demand that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remove Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong from his post.

The protesters will also hold a mock funeral as a symbolic protest against Pradit's decision.

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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/23/ministry-to-set-new-rate-for-state-doctors/