Doctors were some of the workers who withdrew their labour this week as part of industrial actions called for by the Bahamas Trade Union Congress led by Obie Ferguson.   Some of the doctors outstanding grievances are health insurance, unsigned agreements and overtime pay.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis made a statement on the issue on Thursday.  He said, “the government is not negotiating against health care workers.  We are negotiating on behalf of the Bahamian people.  Our goal is to achieve outcomes that are fair to all parties involved. This is not a zero-sum game. It is about finding solutions that ensure the sustainability of our healthcare system while addressing the legitimate concerns of our workers.”

Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Managing Director, Dr. Aubynette Rolle also spoke with reporters Thursday on the issue of overtime for junior doctors.  She said, “so the issue is not about reimbursement for hours spent.  Because every other employee in the PHA that works overtime – there is a system for swiping, there’s a system for verification, there’s a system for approval and then it goes to Finance for payment.”

The Prime Minister further stated on the issue that for him to spend taxpayers money to satisfy the doctor’s claim of what the overtime amount it must be verified.

Dr. Rolle assured the public that patient care was not compromised this week despite the industrial action that included doctors and some nurses.  “Thankfully enough we did not have any emergency cases, gun shot wounds and all of those happening in the time and so we were speared.  But those services went on and we will continue to update the Bahamian people about their rescheduled appointments.”