The Ministry of Health is currently engaged in discussions aimed at reforming how performance-based bonuses for medical staff, known as PBF (Performance-Based Financing), are distributed. This initiative seeks to address the longstanding issue of delayed payments.
This matter came to light when the Ministry appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, where it responded to concerns raised by the Auditor General, including delays in disbursing these bonuses.
Until now, PBF funds have been paid after the end of each quarter, often leading to late disbursements and creating financial uncertainty for healthcare workers. To address this, authorities are exploring ways to synchronize PBF payments with monthly salaries, aiming to improve efficiency and financial stability for employees.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Zachée Iyakaremye, explained that progress has been made in discussions with relevant institutions, though some issues remain unresolved. He stated: “Medical staff receive performance-based bonuses, and the idea is to align those with their salaries so that the same entity responsible for salary payments also handles PBF. We’ve discussed this with various institutions, including the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, but as of now, there is no agreed timeline for implementation.”
He added that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to reduce delays and find sustainable ways to streamline the payment process.
These ongoing discussions involve multiple government institutions, with the goal of putting in place a permanent solution. Although no official date has been announced for when the new system will begin, the plan is expected to significantly improve the operations of the health sector and enhance the welfare of its workforce
