Government has allocated $5.08 million to correct the salary band of about 1600 nurses relative to the years of their experience, says Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Dr Lalabalavu said “the Government has heard the plight of our nurses in the 2023-2024 National Budget budget”.
“The upward movement of intern nurses salary to Band F is allocated $1.15 million and would benefit 330 new nursing graduates,” he said.
“At least 98 registered nurses will benefit from the $399,246.82 allocated for consolidated allowance.
“While the $4.83 million allocated as retention allowance will benefit the current 2447 nursing workforce under the ministry.”
Dr Lalabalavu said the incentives for the nursing workforce would go a long way towards addressing the unprecedented exodus of nurses to better opportunities abroad “that is threatening the integrity of our health system”.
He said the budget allocation would “greatly assist in stabilising the planning and delivery of health services in the country.”
