Alan Johnson is acting CEO at GPHC

Sep 11, 2015 News

– as Khan proceeds on administrative leave

Acting GPHC CEO, Mr. Alan Johnson

The leadership of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has been entrusted into the hands of Mr Alan Johnson, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the GPHC, Johnson has been appointed to act as CEO at the GPHC. “The management and staff welcome Mr Johnson and look forward to working with him.”
Johnson’s appointment sees him replacing Mr Michael Khan who has been sent on administrative leave to allow for the completion of an audit of the hospital’s procurement processes.
Although reports had surfaced since last week that Khan was sent off on leave, he was reportedly not informed of the decision. According to the GPHC statement, “GPHC hereby advises that Mr Michael Khan, Chief Executive Officer GPHC has proceeded on administrative leave with effect from September 9, 2015.”
This publication was informed that Khan, who on Monday was reportedly not yet furnished with a letter informing of the decision for him to commence leave, had turned up for duty on Monday but found Johnson preparing to occupy his office.
Khan had last week proceeded on sick leave during which time rumours circulated that he was already off on administrative leave.
While Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, had intimated that Khan was not yet informed, he asserted that the move was imminent.
This was in light of the fact that the Minister explained that “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. Khan has not been willing to comment on the state of affairs.
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 hospital’s procurement bond.
Kaieteur News was last week told 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 board, Nirmal Rekha, to facilitate an investigation.
However, Khan was immediately reinstated by Public Service Minister under the People’s Progressive Party Civic regime, Dr. Jennifer Westford. At the time she was performing the duties of Minister of Health.