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Delay in Tinian doctor’s salary was due to ‘technical problem’
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Posted on Apr 09 2009
The delay in the release of the salary of the lone medical doctor on Tinian, Dr. Priyantha Wijayagunaratne, was caused by a technical problem that occurred during the processing of his papers, according to press secretary Charles Reyes Jr. yesterday.
The doctor, who has been with the Tinian Health Center for four months, has reportedly not been paid since he started in his new assignment on the island.
“I understand there were certain technical or procedural problems with the processing of the employment contract,” Reyes told Saipan Tribune.
But he said, the matter has since been resolved. “I was told an employment contract is now being properly routed to address the issue.”
Dr. Wijayagunaratne yesterday said the issue is now a “done deal” and is resolved. He said the document is now on “its way to being signed.”
He declined to disclose the amount owed him.
The doctor clarified, though, that he is owed just about three months’ salary—not four as initially reported.
“Like what I said…situation like this happens sometimes,” he told Saipan Tribune, adding that he is not making a big deal of the matter. “I understand how contracts are being processed…and so this is one.”
Dr. Wijayagunaratne is the only medical doctor assigned at THC. He is being helped by three other service providers to attend to walk-in clients on Tinian.
The Tinian clinic’s management had inquired with OMB why the authorization for the doctor’s salary was being held up.
The Tinian Legislative Delegation, through Sen. Joseph Mendiola, earlier vowed to help address the problem. He said delaying the salary of their only doctor is not acceptable and may risk losing the professional’s services.
