The Government increased the salaries of nurses by up to 30% and is contemplating the delivery of housing with the different projects, such as Vivienda Feliz and Mi Casa.
The information was provided by the National Director of Nursing, Yolanda Saturria, of the Ministry of Public Health.
The increase has an impact on direct care nurses and nursing assistants.
From now on, a direct care nurse has a gross salary of RD$41,500, with the incentives she can reach RD$51,000. Likewise, a supervisor can reach a salary of RD$47,500 and reach RD$57,000, with the incentive for time in service, said Saturria.
The official assures that it is an achievement for the sector to have a National Directorate of Nursing that functions in the Ministry of Health and a Directorate of Nursing Care that functions in the National Health Service (SNS).
Universities
Some 12 universities are responsible for graduating nurses who provide services in hospitals, first and second level centers, clinics and private clinics.
The Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) is the main and oldest school for training professionals in the field.
Other universities that train nurses at the undergraduate level are Universidad Central del Este, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), Universidad Católica del Cibao, Universidad Abierta para Adultos, Universidad Tecnológica de Barahona, Uniremos and Universidad Federico Henríquez y Carvajal.
The data
The country has 7,866 professional nurses working, of which 6,700 are in state-run centers and 1,166 in private centers.
Likewise, the Dominican Republic has 18,934 auxiliary nurses, of which 16,934 are in public centers and 2,000 work for private clinics.
Talent drain
Health authorities and the private sector itself are concerned about the significant exodus of professionals to the United States and European countries. At least 180 nurses have left the country so far this year.
The professionals allege that they cannot live on the salary they have in the Dominican Republic.
Another complaint of the professionals who leave the country is that their profession is not respected in the national territory. In Europe their salaries can reach up to 2,000 euros, taking into account overtime. They also have a renewable work contract, the right to daily meals and feel valued.
The national authorities have the challenge of continuing to improve the conditions of the personnel who care for the lives of patients.
