The allowance for technical staff in the health industry has been reduced for night shifts.

The salary for employees in the health sector was increased in 2023, with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises's pay framework stating an MVR 100 allowance for health sector staff on duty for night shifts.

However, with the change brought about in August, the MVR 100 allowance for night shift from 12:00 am to 6:00 am has been reduced to MVR 60. Those on duty from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm did not see any change to the MVR 40 allowance.

This change was included for doctors, nurses and laboratory technologists. Salaries in September were given with the reduced night shift allowance rate.

A doctor who expressed concern over the allowance told Mihaaru News today that there are not that many staff who work the night shift. They said that MVR 100 for work being done by a few staff is a valid amount.

"There is no reduction to the number of people who need treatment even during late hours. The number of doctors are the same," said a medical officer from Hulhumale' Hospital.

They said that even after working five days in a week and being on call for one day, they need to go for duty on their off days due to a lack of staff.

"Overtime for civil servants was reduced with the reason being that there is not enough in the budget. At the time, they said they would hire more doctors. That did not happen either," said the medical officer.