Incentive from 600 birr to 1,120 birr per day
The Council of Ministers in its regular session held on May 22, approved a draft directive that allows health workers to get incentives aimed at encouraging those who are the most vulnerable in the fight against COVIOD 19.
The Council in its communiqué stated that these frontline health workers are integral to the response of COVID-19.
Minister of Health, Lia Tadese told Capital that the incentive is for those who are working in COVID 19 treatment centers, isolation centers, laboratories, rapid response teams and others directly working in relation with treatment of COVID 19. According to sources the minimum bonus for these health workers is 600 birr per day and the maximum is 1,120 birr per day based on their position.
The draft was prepared by the Ministry of Health in February to pay additional bonus to those who are working on the protection, control and response of the pandemic.
“It is for all the professionals and support staffs working on COVID 19,” said Dr Lia.
As the statement from the prime minister stated health workers are risking their life and their families lives and stressed that several professionals working on the fight against the pandemic are remaining at high risk.
The spread of corona virus in Ethiopia is growing fast with 34 cases reported on Friday alone bringing the total count in the country to 429, with an overall test count of 73,205.
Due to the high spread of the virus globally medical workers are more strained than ever.
Last month the government has provide life insurance for the health workers that are in the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. The insurance grant also includes members of the Rapid Response Team.
The Ministry of Health has also prepared two selected hospitals fully accommodated with materials to give treatments to patients and is also preparing temporary residential homes for health workers over fears that physicians could bring the virus to their homes.
“Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Hazards include pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence,” says the World Health Organization (WHO).
