Samoa Medical Association (S.M.A.) has set the record straight on the new salary scales proposals by the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) by saying their demands are not politically motivated, as alleged by the Health Minister. 

The S.M.A. has also pointed out that they have only shelved their 'work to rule' move for a week only.

Fronting the media on Friday evening after a full day of negotiations, the President and senior members of the S.M.A. said the "harsh" comments from their Minister were "disheartening". 

Members of S.M.A. are of the view that the outrage from the Minister of Health (M.O.H.) in Parliament on Thursday against the association is an indication that the doctors in Samoa "can not find refuge" in their Minister's care and leadership.  

"Our hearts are wounded," President Taule'ale'ausumai Dr. Titi Lamese expressed. 

"This is very disheartening and it's even sadder because the wounds were inflicted from within (the Ministry)."

Taule'ale'ausumai then cleared the air on allegations from Valasi that the association's stance is politically motivated. 

"This is not a political fight," he said. 

"Our stance on the matter was never politically motivated or a fight between supporters of the two political parties.

"Another thing that needs to be made clear is that we did not ask to increase the salaries of doctors. We are fighting for what our doctors deserve and we were only asking the Commission to readjust their offer in terms of overtime for the doctors. 

"We also believe that there were not enough negotiations between the entities involved to consider the best interest of those who will be affected by the changes.

"However, it's disappointing to see the kind of approach they have undertaken. They are trying to push forth the changes in a very harsh and acrimonious tone. 

"They are rushing to implement these changes and are very determined to proceed with it. 

"They are doing it in a way to intimidate and threaten us."

In response to the remarks made publicly by Minister Valasi on Thursday and comments from the Minister of P.S.C and Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, Taule'ale'ausumai said they are "daunted" by the allegations against them. 

He added that the good reputation of all the dedicated and passionate medical doctors have been "tarnished".  

"Whatever good work the doctors have done, day and night to serve our country has been discredited. This is like a stab in our hearts and we are very disappointed. 

"These are the same people who risked their lives during the measles epidemic and the COVID-19 global pandemic, serving the community. 

"The doctors sacrificed their time and life to accord with the needs of our people. Some of them did not see their families and children for weeks because they worked day and night to make sure that our sick people were well taken care of. 

"But all those sacrifices have gone to waste. 

"Valasi has tarnished the reputation and the work of our doctors. We are certain that our Minister does not stand to protect us. 

"We know we can not find refuge under his care and leadership. He belittled our profession and spoke as if he is the Minister for a different Ministry."

Taule'ale'ausumai added that the comments made by Valasi can impact the way people see doctors. 

Taule'ale'ausumai explained that the members of the association have unanimously decided to temporarily shelve their "work to rule" motion for one week. 

"After negotiations with the Ministry and also the Commission, we have decided to put off our work to rule motion temporarily. 

"We have done this so we can give the Commission some time to reconsider their offer and try and understand our plea. But that does not mean we have scrapped our motion. 

"The plan was that if P.S.C. don't improve their offer in terms of overtime payments for doctors in the service, they will no longer have to do overtime. 

"They will only work from 8 am to 4 or 5 pm just like other public servants. 

"Some of our members are satisfied with the offer from P.S.C. But there are some areas that they need to consider for the best interests of our doctors in the service. 

"They have to keep in mind that we do not have enough doctors working for the government and some of them are on call 24 hours and doing twice the work they should be doing day and night. 

"Some of them are doing work that would normally require two or three specialists in other countries. So they need to factor all those things in before they finalise their offer."