MoH to set pay scales for all healthcare staff

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Wages in the UAE healthcare sector look set to be overhauled as an MT survey reveals poor pay is linked to nationality.

EXCLUSIVE: Pay scales setting out minimum and maximum salaries for every group of healthcare worker are to be drawn up by the Ministry of Health (MoH), Medical Times can reveal.

The United Arab Emirates' MoH is currently evaluating its pay scales that will result in the setting out of criteria for each role, in a bid to make pay fairer.

Pay bands would be established on the basis of experience and qualificaitons, said Dr Salim Al Darmaki, CEO of institutional services at the MoH.

The plans coincide with findings from MT's salary survey that show pay scales across the Middle East vary widely within professional groups. Wages were more closely linked to nationality than experience and qualifications, responders said.

A total of 177 healthcare staff working in all areas, and sectors, of healthcare delivery took part in the survey, of which 73% thought their pay was too low.

Overall 100% who said their pay was AED5,000 (US$1,362) per month, or below, were from Asia, Africa, or poorer countries in the Middle East.

However, just 45% of those being paid AED35,000 ($9,530) or above were from the same countries. The 55% majority were from Europe and the US.

Results show 70% of responders, answering the question, were planning to resign, with many citing Canada and Australia as their dream destinations for better pay and working conditions.

An Egyptian hospital director working in the private sector on AED5,000 to 10.000 ($1,362 to $2,772) per month, wrote: "I'm planning to go to Australia because there is no career progression and no equal pay for equal jobs in the Gulf area."

A Filipino staff nurse working in private paediatric care, revealed she was earning just AED5,000 (US$1,362) a month, despite having 16 years worth of experience. "We are not compensated for our workloads. They are not paying on your performance, but on your colour or nationality," she added.

However, Dr Darmaki denied that current pay levels were dependent on a person's country of origin.

"I do not think that is the case between nationalities. It varies according to the level of the qualification and the experience, and the institution," he told MT.

The MoH was committed to making pay fairer for all healthcare staff, but could not force healthcare providers to adopt its new pay scales, he added.

"There should be minimum and maximum pay for health workers, regardless of their profession; nurse, technician or doctor and so on. The MoH is going to develop a system that will regulate that pay," Dr Darmaki confirmed.

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