PHCC announced changes in working hours for all doctors and other frontline workers.

PHCC

Hundreds of essential workers have signed a petition demanding a review of a Primary Healthcare Corporation [PHCC] decision to change staff working hours, sources told Doha News.

The decision to amend the hours for medical staff came as a response to an audit carried out by the Ministry of Public Health which had reservations over the amount of overtime hours being claimed by PHCC clinics.

MoPH auditors claimed the PHCC management was claiming overtime for staff across its clinics that shouldn’t have been made, citing contractual obligations for medical workers to work 40 hour weeks, the source said.

More than 800 physicians signed the petition asking the corporation to reconsider the move given the already existing pressure on doctors and other staff members. 

“We want to continue to provide a first-class primary care service for our patients. However, we feel that these proposed working hours are the last nail in the coffin of an already exhausted, burnt out and demoralised workforce. We fear that the above issues are forcing many of us to reassess our situations,” the petition read.

“We do not feel that the change in working hours would have any positive impact on patient care but would rather be detrimental to patient care. We feel strongly that this would result in a huge negative impact on physician’s health, wellbeing, morale and stress,” it added.

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The decision sparked backlash online with many accusing authorities of not appreciating the efforts of frontline healthcare workers despite their service throughout the pandemic.

“Australia issued a postage stamp to honour doctors and nurses for their efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic,” one tweet read. “While in our countries, they did not even receive the appropriate appreciation that befits their position!”

Meanwhile, other doctors took to social media to protest the decision, saying it will directly affect their mental health and social obligations outside work.

“Don’t we already go through enough? Should we go through all those hardships and stay silent? There are some of us who sacrificed their health and well-being.  Our family is the last thing we have left..and I will not sacrifice them. I am a mother before I am a doctor,” another tweet read.  

Others questioned whether the amendment in working hours will ultimately increase their salaries like those of Hamad Medical Corporation staff, given the extra work.