Doctors on duty as contract talks continue

“The doctors are working” the Medical Professionals Association of TT (MPATT) assured yesterday, although they have not yet received word on whether negotiations will go to arbitration.

“Doctors are committed to continue working while the arbitration process takes place,” said Dr Lakhan Roop, vice-president of MPATT. Although new contracts have been offered to doctors, several of them working with the South West Regional Health Authority, and 12 with the North West RHA have not yet signed.

The doctors’ representative has written twice to Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Health Sector, Minister of Public Administration, Dr Lenny Saith, complaining about negotiations with the Joint Negotiating Team of Regional Health Authorities (JNT). MPATT has informed Saith that doctors want negotiations to proceed to formal binding arbitration.

They have criticised the JNT for its “unilateral” offer of contracts when mediation was taking place on overtime payment, compensatory days and gratuity. However, chairman of the JNT Imtiaz Ahamad has said the JNT informed the doctors that their offer was final.