Health Bureau to have 500 more staff by the end of 2020

The Health Bureau (SSM) will hire an additional 500 people by the end of 2020, the Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL) reported yesterday after the discussion on the budget bill for 2020.
Five government representatives were present at yesterday’s committee discussion.
Lawmakers inquired about the budget increase for the Health Bureau, which will reportedly grow by 8% next year to a total of 9 billion patacas. The increase is equivalent to about 670 million patacas.
Regarding the SSM’s budget increase, government representatives explained that, from now until December 31, 2020, the SSM plans to hire 90 doctors, 75 specialist intern doctors, five translators in addition to other staff.
The bureau’s budget increase is also due to the promotion of its staff members, increase in salaries, staff benefits, and new health centers.
Lawmakers also asked the government representatives about the 3% salary increase for civil servants, the 2.4% budget increase at the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau, and the budget increase of 100 million patacas at the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC).
According to the explanation given by the government representatives, the 3% salary increase for civil servants is based on the increase in salaries in the private market.
Meanwhile, the IC’s budget increase is prompted by the Macau Cultural Center’s renovation and by salary compensations to civil servants’ overtime work due to the organization of large-scale activities.
Starting from last year, the IC has also been responsible for paying for two of Macau’s established music groups: the Macao Chinese Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra.
“The bill must be passed this month,” said Chan Chak Mo, chairman of the Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly, stressing its urgency.
Macau’s public health services fall under the remit of the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, currently headed by Alexis Tam. The director of the Identification Services Bureau, Ao Ieong U, will succeed Tam in the next government. JZ