Latest update April 17th, 2025 9:50 AM
GPHC’s Khan not yet asked to proceed on leave – Minister admits
– revealed letter prepared but not delivered
GPHC’s CEO, Mr. Michael Khan
Although Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Mr Michael Khan, was not in office yesterday, his absence had nothing to do with reports of him being asked to proceed on leave.
The CEO yesterday admitted that he was on two days’ sick leave. However, he was not willing to comment on much else. Reports are that his sick leave commenced Tuesday and was expected to conclude yesterday.
When asked to comment on the situation, yesterday, Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, said that it was factual that Khan was not formally informed of a decision for him to proceed on leave to facilitate a forensic audit of the hospital.
He said that while a letter to this effect was prepared it was not delivered to Khan and that attempts were being made to do so yesterday. “The letter is on its way…he hasn’t physically got a letter but if he is in office I would make sure I get it to him today (yesterday),” said the Minister.
He added that this decision was based on a recommendation from those conducting an audit at the health facility.
“Generally if we are doing an investigation, if who we are investigating might be considered to be impeding the investigation, we generally would send them on leave,” asserted the Minister.
While Khan was not willing to comment on reports of him being sent on leave to facilitate a forensic audit of the GPHC’s procurement process, another official close to the operation of the hospital did disclose that the unfolding of the situation is “very upsetting.”
This is in light of the fact, the official said, that the forensic audit commenced two months ago and at no point was there any correspondence indicating the need for the CEO to proceed on leave.
Reports are that ahead of the start of the audit, Minister Norton had contacted the CEO informing him of a request made by Auditor General, Mr Deodat Sharma, to conduct a forensic audit of the procurement bond.
“I found it rather strange that they are sending him off now and there is no evidence of any communication to that effect…we as managers here are wondering what’s going…we usually would have meetings to discuss developments like this but not in this case,” intimated the official. This newspaper understands that Khan reported to work as per norm on Monday but on Tuesday, he reported sick.
It was while he was at home information surfaced that he had been sent on leave, a source confirmed.
Kaieteur News was told earlier this week that Khan was sent on leave to facilitate an audit being conducted into the procurement and storage of medication and other medical supplies.
Last November, Khan was asked to proceed on two months’ leave by the then Chairman of the hospital’s board, Nirmal Rekha, to facilitate an investigation.
However, Khan was immediately reinstated by Public Service Minister in the People’s Progressive Party Civic regime, Dr. Jennifer Westford.
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