THE MINISTRY of Health on Monday paid over outstanding monies owed to the island's nurses and doctors for salaries and allowances that had been partially paid last week.
Dr. Patrick Topping, president of the Jamaica Medical Doctors' Association (JMDA) told The Gleaner that the outstanding monies were paid to doctors.
Cordel Braham, public relations officer in the Ministry of Finance, similarly said funds were provided to pay the doctors and nurses.
WORKERS RESTIVE
Last week some nurses and other medical professionals became restive after they were informed on the eve of Ash Wednesday, the expected pay day, that they would receive only 50 per cent of their pay packages, which would include salary and the requisite allowances.
The JMDA, which represents 800 doctors islandwide, called the Ministry's action "callous and high-handed" and demanded explanations.
A meeting was held on Saturday where the Ministry indicated that the payments would have been made on Monday.
Another meeting was scheduled between the Ministry of Health and the JMDA to ascertain whether the Government would be able to meet its obligations in the coming months.
