Former Chairman accuses Minister of interference in GPHC matters
In light of a decision to dissolve the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), former Chairman, Dr Carl Max Hanoman has come out swinging at Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton, for actions he believes prevented the board from being an autonomous body.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Dr. Hanoman spoke of the lack of reasons behind the termination of the board, while at the same time condemning the Minister for his constant interference in the hospital’s affairs, and expressing the belief that the board was never given a fair chance to act as an independent body.
Customarily, the term of the board is supposed to span three years, with the members of the board being informed of the continuance of their appointments in the month of November. However, this was not the case, as the members received letters informing them of the dissolution of the board. The members of the now dissolved board had been sworn in earlier this year in the month of March.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Dr. Norton said, “The life of the board is up, and while we are grateful for the service of its members, we must look forward, and work towards addressing the many problems facing our nation’s main referral hospital.”
In response to questions asked in relation to possible reasons for the termination of his services as Chairman, Hanoman said all he had received was a letter from the Ministry, and another from the Permanent Secretary, thanking him for his service.
On the issue of the interference, Hanoman said he does not believe that the Minister understands that in order for the board to be autonomous, not everything has to run through him first.
“The intention of the corporation, is to make it independent, so that it can function better. This does not mean he should not be able to advise, but he should not interfere and micro-manage, but I guess it’s because he’s not accustomed to power, you know,” the former Chairman said.
Commenting on the issues he faced when he took up the position of Chairman, Hanoman said poor governance of the hospital topped the list as being the biggest issue at the hospital.
“When I came to the hospital I realized the difficulties of the hospital, in that governance was poor, nurses and doctors were not getting along, and the place was in turmoil. There were shortages of drugs, and of course, you were warned in no uncertain manner, by the powers that be, that is the Minister, he would pronounce that there were enough drugs,” the former Chairman said.
“To get involved and get a solution was not very easy. I realized that the Hospital Corporation could not be autonomous and independent. The decision making process was under the thumbs of the Minister of Health, as he felt he was the all-powerful,” Dr. Hanoman added.
He further noted that things took a turn for the worse when embattled Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC, Michael Khan, was called before a Committee of Inquiry, and the findings were later presented to the GPHC board.
According to Hanoman, though the findings did not provide evidence to implicate Khan in any way, he believes Dr. Norton has a personal agenda against Khan, which resulted in him ultimately using his powers as Minister to send Khan on administrative leave.
“I am not an advocate for Mr. Khan, I am an advocate in an instance where the Government appoints a committee of inquiry, and commits $8 million of taxpayers’ money to investigate. It is then that I am duty bound to listen to the recommendations of that committee, irrespective of what outsiders of that committee may say,” the former Chairman said.
“Mr. Norton had his own agenda against Khan and he did tell me that; he said no way Khan can come back here, and I said but Khan is a civil servant, he must have his rights, and whatever was said in the inquiry I followed”, he further asserted.
Hanoman also touched on the issue of Matron Collene Hicks who was also sent on administrative leave pending an investigation. He disclosed, contrary to reports which acknowledged him as being responsible for the Matron being sent on leave, the decision was made by the Minister.
“The Minister was the one who sent the Matron on leave. He was the one who said he did not want the Matron there, because she was causing disruption at the hospital. I told him that as the Chairman, I could not send anyone on administrative leave, that decision lies with the CEO,” the Doctor related.
It was at that instance, Allan Johnson was selected to take up the position of Acting CEO of the GPHC. However, Hanoman pointed out that Johnson was subsequently removed after the board passed a no confidence motion against him.
Asked about the reason for the no confidence motion, Hanoman said the board agreed that Johnson had exercised poor performance while acting in the capacity as CEO, particularly so, since they felt he was in the habit of “forgetting things.”
According to Hanoman, it would now seem as though the board’s decision has been overturned since Johnson is rumoured to have returned to take up the position of Acting CEO at the hospital.
Grievances
Continuing to express his grievances, the former Chairperson made mention of what he says is the Minister’s decision to await the induction of a new board, before a candidate is selected to fill the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO).
“As a board, we advertised the DCEO position, we did several interviews and selected about four suitable candidates, in order of merit. I submitted the names to the Minister, to Harmon and to the President, and Norton in a letter said to me that while he was delighted to know that the board can use the initiative to interview and select a DCEO, he thinks that it is only wise that the decision be implemented by the next board,” the former Chairman explained.
Having said all of this, Hanoman made clear his position on returning to serve as Chairman of the Board, if the Ministry continues to be headed by Norton.
“I don’t want to go back to that hospital with Mr. Norton. He never worked along with me, there was no cooperation; he was myopic…I’m sorry but I will not go back to the Georgetown Hospital, once he is Minister of Health,” he pronounced.
Other members of the now dissolved board under Dr. Hanoman’s Chairmanship were Col Patrick West, Cleopatra Barkoye, Collette Adams (Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health), Mandy Sukhdeo, Sonya Roopnauth and Kempton Alexander, while Dr Sheik Amir and Allan Johnson were ex-officio members.