MADINAH, 18 March 2003 — A high-level committee has been set up to unify the salaries of doctors and paramedical staff working at hospitals of the Health Ministry, the Defense Ministry and the Interior Ministry.
Official sources told Arab News that the committee, headed by Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, will try to equalize the salaries of employees working at these hospitals.
The committee was created to prevent a drain of doctors and technicians from Health Ministry hospitals to other government hospitals or the private sector in search of better financial benefits.
Dr. Rida Khaleel, adviser for health management and supervisor of financial affairs at the Health Ministry, told Arab News that the move would ensure job stability for the Health Ministry employees.
There are about 120,000 employees, including 80,000 doctors and technicians, under the Health Ministry.
The move coincides with the Health Ministry’s effort to draw up a list of government doctors who are violating regulations by working in private hospitals, which is to be submitted to higher authorities for action.
