8 Months Not Receiving Incentives, Health Workers In Medan Use PPE

A number of health workers from the Dr. Pirngadi Medan Hospital demonstrated by going around the hospital area because the 8 month incentive had not been paid (DOK. Ist)

MEDAN - A number of health workers from the Dr. Pirngadi Medan Hospital rallied around the hospital area. They wore personal protective equipment (PPE) and carried posters reading protest.

These health workers protest that incentives for 8 months of handling the COVID-19 pandemic have not been paid.

A protester, Buala Zenrato, admitted that he had only been paid for two months of work. 8 months still in arrears of incentive payments.

"We haven't paid the incentives for 8 months, which we should have received like other districts that have disbursed. Even our decree is not in our hands. Where is our conscience? We are at the forefront," he said, Wednesday, February 10.

Moreover, while on duty to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, these medical personnel did not meet their families to prevent potential transmission.

"We all do it sincerely, but what do we get? We have sacrificed not to meet with the family while on duty. If (incentives) are one or two months late, we still understand, it's already been 8 months," continued Buala.

Separately, the Head of Medical Services at the Hospital, Dr. Pirngadi Medan, Dr. Risma, said that the issue of incentives was not the realm of the hospital. Health worker incentive payments are under the authority of the North Sumatra Health Office.

"It is not in our domain, we have tried it even to the members of the council," he said.