Panyijiar health workers receive cash incentives after protest

A medical officer examines a woman suffering from cholera on March 4, 2017, in a clinic in Ganyiel, Panyijiar county. (AFP/Albert Gonzalez Farran)

At least 120 health workers have received cash incentives for their services in Panyijiar County of Unity State, officials said.

Last week, the County Health Department (CHD) workers protested demanding their incentives from UNICEF.

Panyijiar County Health Director Peter Yoak Yap told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that another 159 workers did not receive the incentives because they were ether missing on the list, or did not turn up.

“UNICEF delayed the payment for four months but now they have disbursed the incentives,” he said.

Yap said the next payment would be made in the next two weeks.

“They told me that they would return in the next two weeks for the workers.

Stephen Kai of Nyak PHCC confirmed receiving the cash and appreciated the CHD leadership for helping them during the protest.

“I received US$200 incentives and now I am going to send my children money for school fees.

He said some of his colleagues did not receive the payment because their names were not on the list.

“I feel very sorry for my colleagues who did not get their pay and I am appealing to the State Ministry of Health and UNICEF to ensure all the eligible names are included for the next payment,” Kai said.

Joseph Gatdet was among those who did not receive the incentives.

“I don’t know what I will tell my children because all these months I used to promise them that I would soon have money,” said Gatdet.

He added that he was among the people eligible for US$300 monthly.