Should Michael Khan be on the job at GPHC?

Aug 24, 2016 News

– Public Health Minister says no
– Official says Khan staying put; abiding by Board’s decision

Cabinet has reportedly issued a directive for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public

GPHC’s CEO
Michael Khan

Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Mr Michael Khan, to be sent on leave pending the outcome of a review of a recently released audit report of the hospital.
Khan’s fate as CEO reportedly lies in the outcome of that review.
Cabinet had instructed that Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams, conduct the review. This announcement was made two weeks ago by Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who disclosed that Williams would have to present Cabinet with a solution within a week’s time.
However, when attempts were made to contact Williams yesterday to ascertain the status of the review, he, through his Secretary, revealed that this publication should contact Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton for that update.
Minister Norton acknowledged that it was Cabinet’s decision for Khan to be sent on leave pending the outcome of the review.
However, checks at the GPHC yesterday revealed that Khan was still on the job. In fact a source close to the hospital yesterday disclosed that Khan will remain on the job until he is issued with a letter from the Board instructing him to proceed on leave.
Khan was last year sent on administrative leave in order to facilitate an audit of the financial and

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton

general operations of the hospital.
While there were some damning allegations detailed against Khan in the report, the Board had opted to write to Khan advising him to resume his duties. He has been on the job ever since.
Minister Norton had, however, issued a directive that Khan remain off the job.
This is in light of the fact that following the release of the audit, the Board was divided as to whether Khan should return and therefore sought the intervention of Minister Norton.
However, the Board is said to have subsequently decided to reinstate Khan and disregarded the request for the Minister’s intervention.
At a post-Cabinet press briefing held on August 11, last, Minister Harmon had said that “Cabinet received a report from the Honourable Minister of Public Health on the state of affairs at the Public Hospital Corporation, Georgetown.”
According to Harmon, “among the issues raised in the report were the relationships between the subject Minister and the Board of Directors of the Corporation.”
He noted that the decision of the Board of Directors to reinstate the CEO of the hospital has gained the attention of Cabinet. And Harmon also disclosed that “Cabinet, having deliberated on the matter, appointed the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister (Basil Williams) as mediator to inquire into all the issues raised in the report.”
Williams was also tasked with making recommendations to Cabinet which would allow for a resolution within one week, Harmon had said.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News