More support coming for healthcare workers

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony says the Government recognises it owes a debt of gratitude to frontline workers who have emerged as heroes in the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the knowledge that these critical workers continue to serve on the frontline, even as the infection numbers increase, the Government remains committed to ensuring that they are given adequate protective gear and provided with other support services.

Referring specifically to healthcare professionals, who risk their lives to serve their patients, the Minister said, “If you have lots of cases and you don’t have health workers to literally be there to deal with the sick, then you will have a lot of people dying. So that is their role. When we use the term frontline worker, they are literally on the frontline everyday fighting this disease.”

Further, the Minister gave assurances that more plans are in train to better equip and protect health workers.  

“I am sure many of them whom I have interacted with understand that we are working in this direction [and] some of these things take time,” the Minister said.

Frontline healthcare workers will also benefit from the $150 million approved for risk allowances in Budget 2020 last week. They are also benefiting from a raft of other COVID-19 relief measures implemented by the Government, including a $25,000 per household cash transfer grant.

Workers with children can access even more relief measures. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has made allocations to ensure that the children of frontline workers are not left unattended when their parents are on duty. These workers can also access the $15,000 per school child and $4,000 per school child uniform allowances catered for in the budget.

Additionally, the Government has amended several laws to reverse or reduce taxes and fees, putting money back into the pockets of the people.