| Some health workers attached to the Global Fund funded HIV/AIDs programme are questioning the credibility of some officials who are tasked with managing the operations here in Guyana.In fact, they are convinced that some level of skullduggery has been allowed to prevail over the years, and is set to continue if measures are not taken to address the glaring situation.The workers, who requested anonymity for fear of being victimised, said that not only are they being deprived of money that they signed for some two years ago but they were, from the inception, short-changed of a remuneration package which was presented, accepted and facilitated by the funding agency.This newspaper was informed that it was in 2005 that Global Fund offered to render financial support to the local Ministry of Health to help address the challenges associated with HIV/AIDS,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The funds were channelled through the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU).However,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, the workers attached to the National AIDS Programme Secretariat are of the belief that it could be more efficient if things were managed in a more transparent and honest manner.The workers, who are retained on a contractual basis, said that in 2010 they were asked to sign a document which they were told would allow them to be paid a two-month salary valued gratuity.“We were told that the manager of the programme [name withheld] is requesting that we sign this document so that we could be paid a bonus of two months’ salary through the funding agency. So we signed it but till this day we have got nothing.”We need to know what has become of those invoices that we signed…We have been querying and all we are getting is ‘we don’t know about that’.”The beginning of this year, according to the workers, has marked two years since they had signed the document. They claim they have not received a dime. Based on the number of persons attached to the programme and the salary level they were assigned,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, the workers have been able to deduce that the unpaid monies are in excess of several millions.Although some parts of the programme required that some of the more experienced health workers be retained,Cheap NBA Store, some of them are convinced that certain managers of the programme have ensured that not only they be deprived of a salary increase but also that their former status be depreciated.“The way we are seeing it is that we can’t get an increase and we are on a level just as everybody else even though we have more years of experience and service than many others in our field.”The workers also said that they were privy to information that they were being afforded just about half of the remuneration package which is being financed by the funding agency. As such, they say that they are being paid relatively lower than comparable positions in the public health sector and have not been engaged in any discussions to address an increase.According to the workers, they had on numerous occasions attempted to raise their concerns with senior officials attached to the programme but are yet to secure such an engagement.In addition, the workers lamented the fact that they are not being adequately represented,China Jerseys NFL Wholesale, a state of affairs,Wholesale Jerseys China, which has caused them to turn to the media.Despite their concerns associated with the management of the programme, the workers said that they have remained committed to working in the area of HIV/AIDS since it is recognised as one of the most crucial in the health sector that requires close and continuous attention.“This programme is helping the people who are infected with HIV, also their families are being supported,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, and that is why we are still here even though we think some people are not appreciative of what we do…” |
