No one's going to be checking blood samples at the Central Medical Lab this weekend - according to reports. The Lab Technologists have been turning to Facebook to express their frustrations with the inadequate working conditions and the cutback in overtime.
They have made some angry Facebook posts, and written a letter to the Director of Laboratory Services Dr. Gerhaldine Morazán saying quote, "A lot has been requested from the staff here at the Central Medical Laboratory since the beginning of the pandemic and we have and continue to present give our utmost in the deliverance of services to our patients, 24-hour coverage for Covid-19 testing, working public and bank holidays, blood drive on weekends to ensure availability of blood, etc. And for this the staff should be commended, but rather we are being slapped on the face…"
They complain that the new formula for calculating overtime is complex and actually forces them to work 22 extra hours at the flat rate - until they reach the overtime threshold. And because of this, they say, quote, "the time has come for us to stand up for our rights, rights which we believe are being trampled upon…With immediate effect, CML staff will work the standardized working hours ONLY." end quote.
So, that means no work at the lab on weekends or after 5:00 - so, whichever samples didn't get there by 4:30 pm today will have to wait until Monday for any lab service - including COVID testing. Bear in mind this lab gets samples from all over the country as well as the KHMH. So, anyone needing results on the weekend won't get them - and that could be as many as 500 samples which are normally processed - which will now have to wait until Monday.
