LOC13:33
10:33 GMT
KUWAIT, Dec 3 (KUNA) -- Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi has issued a ministerial decision introducing new rules regarding the on-call allowance for employees in pharmaceutical and medical services.
The decision aims to strengthen administrative governance, regulate duty schedules, and ensure operational efficiency across the ministry's facilities.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement on Wednesday that the new regulations set a minimum of 30 on-call hours per month and a maximum of 48 hours. The allowance will be paid strictly for hours actually worked, with hours deducted during any type of leave.
The decision also prohibits combining the on-call allowance with overtime compensation or shift-based work. However, employees may still be assigned overtime duties on days when they are not scheduled for on-call shifts.
The ministry added that eligible job categories are defined according to Schedule No. 4 attached to Civil Service Commission Decision No. 7 of 2003, with full adherence to approved standards and criteria.
The decision requires all work centers to prepare monthly on-call schedules that outline staff assignments, shift timings, and required hours to ensure continuity of services. These schedules must be approved by the technical department head and the medical authority head, depending on the specialty in hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
Work centers must then send copies of the approved schedules to relevant department directors and upload them electronically through the Injaz system, while keeping an official copy on record. (end)
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