More than 8.7 thousand healthcare workers in the Vitebsk region received bonuses for working during the COVID-19 pandemic

Over 8.7 thousand healthcare workers in the Vitebsk region received bonuses for working during the COVID-19 pandemic. How much did they increase the salaries of medics, and who is eligible?

The COVID-19 situation has shown that our medics are ready to mobilize, swap white coats for protective suits, and go into battle with the coronavirus, fighting for their patients' lives, working at the limit of their capabilities, and putting their personal lives and interests on the back burner. It is important that both the public and the state see and highly value this selfless work. Financially supporting today's heroes is the aim of Presidential Decree No. 131 of the Republic of Belarus "On material incentives for healthcare workers" dated April 16, 2020. The regional health department explained who is eligible for the additional payments provided for by the new decree, how they are calculated, and how the work of medics is currently valued.

– Monthly bonuses under the decree are provided to specialist doctors, mid-level healthcare professionals, and other healthcare workers who provide outpatient, inpatient, epidemiological, resuscitation, and emergency medical care in a closed three-shift mode, as well as those working in conditions related to infections, – explains Viktoria Klemparskaya, Head of the Planning and Economic Sector of the Main Department of Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee. – Payment is calculated for the time actually worked. In particular, in case of constant contact with infected patients – for all hours worked, including work on a part-time basis and beyond the established working hours. In case of a single contact, including consultations with patients with infectious diseases, payment is made for the working day (working shift) according to the timesheet. The list of structural units and positions eligible for the bonus is determined by a special commission within each organization.

The specialist also noted that for the accrual of additional payments, there must be appropriate supporting documents, namely, primary medical documentation, as well as reports from specialist doctors, heads of departments, senior nurses of structural units, administration of the institution, etc., may also be used.

Payments to medical workers of the Vitebsk region under the decree began to be made as early as May 5, and a briefing seminar was previously held with the accounting and economic services of all healthcare institutions.

More than 8.7 thousand medical workers in the region received bonuses totaling 7.2 million rubles.

As a result, the average monthly salary of doctors in April increased by 28% compared to March and amounted to 2,017 rubles, and for mid-level medical staff – by 29% and increased to 1,190 rubles.

It is worth noting that the decree also allowed for material incentives for future doctors and nurses who are completing their studies but have already joined the fight against coronavirus infection. 130 senior students of VSMU have been employed as nurses and are assisting their senior colleagues at the regional hospital, city ambulance and emergency medical service, regional center for dermatovenereology and cosmetology, and Orsha Central Polyclinic. Six students of the I. Antonov Vitebsk State Medical College are serving as orderlies at the regional hospital and city ambulance service. These working hours are an opportunity for the young men and women to go through a life school that will be very useful for their professional development, as well as to earn their first, albeit not easy, money.

"Vitebskiye Vesti".