Following great public criticism, the National Health Commission(NHC) has taken a decision to remove a clause from the proposed Hospital Authority Bill which made provision for three year contracts for health care workers.

Deputy chairperson of the National Health Commission, Jennifer Astaphan says, “One clause in the Bill that was a source of concern and confusion is the clause referring to three year contracts for Medical profession and that Medical profession as described in the Bill is the doctors, the nurses, the Pharmacists. Our recommendation is to remove that clause from the Bill since it will be a condition of employment”.

She pointed out that the idea of contractual employment being so dangerous is ridiculous as presently there are doctors who are on contract as well as a number of NEP’s on six month contract.

She says that the contract clause was really to encourage accountability and professionals who are accountable have nothing to fear as it relates to security of tenure.

Astaphan further explained that staff currently employed will not lose any of their benefits.