The Ministry of Health has set a final deadline of Friday, December 12, 2025, for newly posted doctors who have not yet arrived at their duty stations, urging them to report without further delay. The reminder comes alongside an update on salary arrears for nurses recruited in recent months.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 3, the ministry announced that more than 6,000 newly engaged nurses who had been waiting for their salaries have now been paid. According to the ministry, these payments form part of a broader settlement covering the entire batch of 13,500 nurses recruited nationwide, resolving months of administrative delays that left many without income.
The ministry expressed appreciation for the medical officers who have already taken up their postings and encouraged those still outstanding to use the extended timeline. Mr Tony Goodman, Head of Health Training Institutions and spokesperson for the ministry, explained that the extra days were provided to ensure officers have enough room to report and to support balanced staffing across different regions.
Officials made it clear that the recent deployment exercise should not be seen as a form of punishment. The ministry noted that the goal is an equitable distribution of healthcare personnel across the country. As stated, “The Ministry of Health wishes to reiterate that the postings are not punitive, but rather a measure to achieve fair deployment of health professionals.”
Families of newly assigned doctors have been urged to help them adjust to their stations, especially in districts that have long struggled to retain health workers. Local government authorities, including Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, have been asked to assist by offering accommodation, transportation support and basic amenities to help officers settle.
The ministry added that the directive aligns with its Human Resource Posting Guidelines, which allow incentives for those who accept placements in rural and underserved communities.
While some medical officers have voiced their dissatisfaction with their postings, the ministry stood firm that no adjustments will be made. The statement added, “The Ministry further emphasises that no changes will be made to the recent postings.”
Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the national health workforce, the ministry said the December 12 deadline will be enforced. Officers who fail to report by that date risk losing their postings, as the government continues working to address regional disparities in healthcare delivery.
