Retention allowances for doctors deployed at district hospitals have been cut by 87 percent following reduction of funding from Government’s development partners.
The doctors are now getting $88 retention allowance per month, down from $682 which was being paid since 2009 when the Health Worker Retention Scheme was launched. Responding to questions during question and answer session in the National Assembly last week on behalf of Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Petronella Kagonye said Government has had to cut down the retention to funding challenges. Said Kagonye:
A doctor in the district is with effect from last month receiving $88,65 retention allowance from the health worker retention (Global Fund), down from $682 when the scheme started. The Health Worker Retention Scheme was set up in 2009 with the support of development partners to complement Government efforts to remunerate and retain its workers. It contributed immensely to the presence of motivated health workers at all levels of the health systems, especially doctors at district hospitals.
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