Health officers misunderstand their entitlements and responsibilities written into law because of a lack of socialization.
Commission F (health, education, culture, veterans’ and gender equality affairs) member Deputy Ilda Maria da Conceicao said the law clearly set out who was and wasn’t covered under the award. This information needed to be disseminated to staff, she said.
“It is clearly written in the legal decree but health officers still do not understand their rights,” she said.
She suggested the Ministry of Health share information about the decree with health staff so it is understood.
The award applied only to those who attend directly to patients. Staff who work in administrative capacities are not covered by the award.
She said some qualified medical staff were working in administration rather than frontline health services, compounding the problem.
Health Minister Sergio da Costa Lobo said a team would address the need for socialization shortly.
“We have done some socialization about the health career decree in some districts but it was not enough and there is still a need to do more,” he said.
Minister Lobo appealed to health workers who had incorrectly received entitlements under the award to return them.
