REGIONAL: Bahamas front line workers to get delayed honourarium and death benefits

The Bahamas government says it will now pay “on or before the second week of August” the honourarium and death benefits to a limited number of front line nurses, physicians and medical service workers involved in the first wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

A statement from the Ministry of Health said the payment would be for the frontline workers who worked during the period March 15 to June 19, 2020.

During his budget presentation, Health Minister, Renward R. Wells, said that approval was given for the pay-out of US$1,04 million to the limited number of front line workers.

Wells said that during the first wave of COVID-19, these front-line health care workers initially stepped forward “when others were somewhat tepid and hesitant.”

Wells also advised that the government had approved in the 2021/2021 budget an additional three million dollars in honourarium to compensate other health care workers “who later joined in the fight.”

Originally, no date was indicated as to when the honourarium would be paid. However, the Ministry of Health was aiming to complete the task, and disburse the funds by the end of July, 2021.

In its statement, the Ministry of Health said it had to carefully scrutinize the proposed list of names recommended for a honourarium.

“Re-calculations had to be completed based on the proposed names for consideration, and a verification process ensued to ensure all health care workers recommended were compensated according to the set specifications. This caused some delays.

“Consequently, the Ministry of Health announces that all front-line and non-front line workers who assisted with the National Response to COVID-19 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in The Bahamas will be paid by cheque on or before the second week of August, 2021,” the ministry added.