NASSAU, Bahamas –While the Ministry of Health said yesterday (August 12) that Minister of Health Renward Wells did not receive any of the funds allocated for the honorariums put aside for frontline and non-frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it confirmed that his driver and personal assistant received honorariums, The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday, August 13.
On Tuesday, Wells said that honorariums were paid to some healthcare workers who worked during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roughly 150 allied healthcare workers called in sick yesterday.
Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) President Kimsley Ferguson said he was not aware of a sick-out, but said certain employees who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic were “up in arms” after they were denied honorariums while others received the recent payments.
In a statement, the ministry said the honorarium is a promise the government made during the 2021/2022 budget debate intended for a subset of frontline healthcare workers who were the early heroes in the COVID-19 fight.
“These workers willingly responded to the call, offering their name and talent to initiate the COVID-19 response when the majority of healthcare workers were hesitant and declined to serve,” it said.
“These frontline workers, some working in clinical and non-clinical settings, served during the period 19th March – 18th June, 2020.
“The Ministry of Health would like to advise that the minister of health did not receive any of the funds allocated for the honorarium put aside for frontline and non-frontline workers. Social media reports also purport that the minister of health’s driver and personal assistant received $5,000 each for their contributions to the COVID-19 response.
“The Ministry of Health categorically denies this assertion as these employees were disbursed the same minimum honorarium payment issued to non-frontline workers who consisted of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, administrative, clerical, transport, security, custodial and other support staff who joined later in the response.
“The amount awarded to these persons was $1,158.40.” See full story in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/ministers-driver-personal-assistant-receive-honorariums/
