Apologise or resign
PROF PRASAD LASHES OUT AT HEALTH MINISTER FOR STATEMENTS
RETRACT, apologise or resign.
National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad’s call for Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete to “do the right thing” is in response to statements the minister made in Parliament about diabetes medicine, metformin.
He said Dr Waqainabete’s recent comment that he was happy to be corrected was “weak” and the minister should divert his attention to addressing issues highlighted in Parliament instead of making irresponsible comments.
NATIONAL Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad has called on Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete to retract and apologise for the statements he made in Parliament about the diabetes medicine, metformin.
“Otherwise do the right thing and resign,” the NFP leader said.
Prof Prasad described as “weak” Dr Waqainabete’s response to comprehensive rebuttal of his statement that metformin could cause cardiac arrest and even death in heart patients.
“The minister’s comment that he is happy to be corrected (that metformin is safe) is not good enough.
“It is a sick joke for the minister to just say he is happy to be corrected. “When I clearly stated in Parliament, that metformin was a safe drug and its shortage was affecting diabetics around the country, the minister twice stated the drug to be unsafe and possibly fatal for heart patients.”
Prof Prasad said Dr Waqainabete should divert his attention to addressing issues highlighted in Parliament last Friday instead of making irresponsible statements.
“And given the doctrine of ministerial responsibility, a minister who is quick to claim credit for any good that happens within his or her ministry, must also be held accountable for any serious dereliction of duty or failure of a policy under him or her.”
Questions sent to Dr Waqainabete in relation to the comments made by Prof Prasad remain unanswered.