Public Service Minister conducts fact-finding tour of Linden Hospital Complex

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Minister of Public Service, Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on November 25, met with representatives of the union, management and staff of the Linden Hospital Complex, Charles Rosa School of Nursing and Linden Town Council.

The meetings were in response to requests for an intervention received by the minister through her secretariat.

Over at the Linden Hospital Complex, the minister listened to concerns relating to staffing, staff categorisation, security and remuneration.

Minister Sarabo-Halley’s engagement with tutors of the Charles Rosa School of Nursing surrounded the issues of allowances, scholarships, staffing and the need for additional resources to aid the efficient delivery of training and supervision of student nurses.

At the offices of the Mayor and Town Council, Minister Halley held a town hall meeting with Mayor Waneka Arrindell, Councillors and Staff.

During discussions, the minister was asked to address matters relating to the MTC’s inability to immediately pay staff the minimum wages prescribed by the government, the council’s need for improved revenue collection, handing over of several housing schemes to the council, scholarships and the heavy debt inherited by the current council.

The MTC is said to be indebted to GRA, NIS and other agencies and suppliers more than $200M, which according to Mayor Arrindell is proving to be a bugbear on the council’s efforts to improve the delivery of services and staff remuneration.

Minister Sarabo-Halley, after each engagement, committed to resolving the matters which fell under her purview and to relate others to the relevant subject ministers and agencies to ensure timely resolutions.