Doctors threaten strike action over demands

The National National

By Rebecca Kuku
MEMBERS of the National Doctors’ Association have threatened to go on strike on Friday if the government fails to meet their seven outstanding demands.
National Doctors Association secretary Dr Sam Yockopua said they wanted the:

  • Outstanding insurance premium of K1.13 million to be paid by Thursday, Dec 14, before the close of business;
  • Outstanding NDA awards for national medical academics – the money managed by the University of PNG to be paid by Pay # 26 of 2017 before the close of business;
  • State to honour the award and facilitate the NDA HOS, which includes financial contributions;
  • Doctors to have their contracts signed, gratuity calculations and payments done in compliance with the existing agreement by Pay
    26 of 2017 before the close of business;
  • Doctors employed must have their appointments confirmed, salaries and remuneration packages sorted out;
  • Outstanding rentals to be paid by Thursday, Dec 14 ,before close of business;
  • Outstanding claims by service providers, health institutions to be paid by the end of the year.

Yockopua said the seven demands were in one package.
He said failure to meet the seven demands would result in the withdrawal of services by members.
Health and HIV/Aids Minister Sir Puka Temu said the planned strike was illegal because doctors were part of an essential service and governed under the essential services legislation.
“This means that there are procedures for them to follow should they have any grievance. But they cannot just walk off from their jobs,” he said.
“They would require an approval from the industrial registrar before they can take such actions.”
Sir Puka said Health Secretary Pascoe Kase met association president James Naipao and came to an agreement.