Africa-Press – Cape verde. The Cape Verdean Minister of Health, Filomena Gonçalves, announced today, in parliament, that the State Budget for next year includes funds for hiring more than 500 professionals to reinforce the national system.
The minister’s statements were made on the day that a new round of negotiations is taking place between seven unions representing health professionals, who have given a three-day strike notice for this month.
When answering questions from deputies, Filomena Gonçalves highlighted that the health system’s “biggest challenge” is insufficient human resources, which has worsened with the covid-19 pandemic.
Noting that several situations were regularized this year, such as the entry of an additional 34 doctors into the system, and several processes are underway, namely to hire new doctors and nurses.
According to the minister, the State Budget for 2024, approved on Thursday in general, includes funds for the entry of more than 500 new professionals into the health system.
“The new budget will also allow us to regularize 268 situations, we will launch a competition to hire 67 new doctors”, he continued, remembering that a competition is underway to hire 30 doctors, 75 nurses, 100 technicians, 29 assistants and 24 operational support staff.
To further improve the current situation, the minister noted the existence of funds for ongoing training in some specialties, in partnership with some international partners.
The health computerization system is also underway, considered “very important” for the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of the sector, he said.
Since Thursday, seven unions representing health professionals have been meeting, at the General Directorate of Labor, with the Ministry of Health, after delivering a strike notice for the 15th to 17th of November.
Cape Verde’s health professionals demand, among others, a review of the base salary of support staff, as well as an increase in overtime pay, the creation of a risk allowance for these professionals, as well as doctors and nurses.
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