The government coughed up ambulance drivers: They went around them when they were rewarded! They respond with a clear link – Topky.sk

However, the Transport Health Service Association, which considers the non-inclusion of transport health and emergency medical service drivers in the group of eligible recipients of health care remuneration in the amount of EUR 350, objected to such a decision as discriminatory. “The Government of the Slovak Republic and the Ministry of Health have declared that all healthcare workers who help manage the pandemic and take care of patients deserve a reward. We therefore consider it incomprehensible that transport health service staff are not included in this list.” stated.

According to the chairman of the association, Michal Bahelka, this undermines the work of hundreds of transport health service drivers who transport patients with Covid-19 from morning to evening. “These people also risk their health, just like other front-line health professionals, and they certainly deserve a reward and thanks.” he said. He also threatened that such a discriminatory decision could lead to a further outflow of transport medical staff and thus jeopardize its functioning.

They also recalled that a large group of drivers working in the emergency medical service who are part of the rescue teams is also discriminated against. According to the government’s decision, they are not entitled to remuneration either. “Drivers are already under a huge workload today. When transporting Covid-positive patients, they risk their own health as well as the health of their families. I can’t imagine explaining that everyone but them will be rewarded. ” said Bahelka.

Source: Topky – Maarty

They therefore called on the government and the health sector to make swift adjustments and to include their drivers in the group of eligible remuneration recipients. “We believe that this is only a mistake due to an oversight and the employees of both health services will not be discriminated against. Otherwise, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic should explain why these employees were excluded from the right to remuneration.” they added.

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The government announced year-end rewards for health professionals on Friday, December 17. The state has set aside more than 50.7 million euros for this purpose. The one-time financial contribution is intended for all doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. This means that every doctor, nurse, other health worker and medical students working for a health care provider in the Slovak Republic will receive a reward.