By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com]–Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran says a new Board for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been appointed months after the old Board expired earlier in the year.
He told iNews that the Board’s first meeting is due within the coming days after which the official announcement will be made; adding that the new Board has received his full blessings.
When quizzed, the Minister refused to say who the new members of the Board are. He wouldn’t even disclose who the chairperson is
“I will allow the Board to have the honor of announcing that, I don’t want it to look like I have too much of a hands on approach, we have to give the Board that opportunity,” the Health Minister told iNews.
Sources however informed iNews that no Board has been finalized. Dr. Ramsaran said in the meantime his Ministry is paying keen interest in the operations of the institution to ensure that nothing is derailed in the period there wasn’t a Board.
“The Board did a good job the last time” he said; adding that “and the residual influence is still there… systems are in place and the Minister have weekly meetings with the CEO.”
When contacted, a Senior Officer at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) confirmed that the Union was invited to name someone to represent their interest on the Board, as is customary, but could not confirm whether the Board was finalized.
“We submitted a name but received no correspondence on the finalization of the Board,” the GPSU Rep. stated. GPSU’s interest will be represented by Kempton Alexander, who is also the Union’s branch representative at the hospital.
Meanwhile, iNews has confirmed that the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Khan has retained his post one month after his contract expired at the end of July.
In this regard, the Minister explained it is expected that the new Board will address this and similar issues soon. He said for these reasons the Board should have been in place much earlier but recalled unforeseen delays.
“The Board will be advising, I don’t want to intervene because the Board has its own relationship with the administration and the Chief Administrator Mr. Khan is also member of the Board,” Dr. Ramsaran added.
When contacted by iNews today, Monday, September 1, to verify the finalization of the Board, Khan said, “I know nothing about the Board.”
Asked about his expired contract, he said “address that with the Chairman, I prefer you talk to the Chairman of the Board first and then I will speak.”
