Details of the new pay framework for health sector employees have been announced.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the announcement in a special video message delivered to the nation on Sunday morning.

As such, in his message, the president noted that the improved pay framework for the health sector will come into effect on Monday.

The president, in his presidential address delivered at parliament this year, announced a wage raise for healthcare sector workers from the beginning of May 2023.

Shedding light on some of the revisions made to the wages of health sector employees, President Solih noted that a senior registered nurse previously earning MVR 20,459 as total pay, will now earn MVR 29,271 without overtime pay whereas a specialist nurse will now be entitled to MVR 41,976.

Further, a senior medical officer will earn an average monthly pay of MVR 41,541 without overtime and a subspecialist consultant with the highest grade will be entitled to MVR 98,137 without overtime pay.

Revealing that the government has also brought revisions to the wages of social service sector employees, including psychologists, councilors, and social workers effective Monday, the president stated that the employees who have not received the 35 percent allowance working in government ministries will start receiving the 35 percent allowance effective Monday as well.

The government will also be providing an internship allowance for students who pursue medical and dental internships.

The president also announced the government’s plans to introduce a scholarship loan program to equip Maldivians in areas of the health sector previously lacking Maldivian representation.

The salary improvisations and 35 percent allowance for staff in all government ministries would benefit a total of 9,838 employees and cost MVR 482 million on a yearly basis.

President Solih in his address expressed hope that these improvements will lead to greater service and inspire more Maldivians to join the health sector workforce.

He concluded by noting that relevant ministries will be providing additional information on the adjustments made to salary structure later on.

This year’s presidential address saw President Solih shedding light on pay harmonization for those working in the healthcare sector as well as allowances for civil service employees. He added that once the pay harmonization process is complete, all civil service employees will benefit from pay raises. These include for employees in the judicial sector, civil servants, prayer leaders of mosques as well as those who call for prayers at the mosque