Bust at Diamond Bond...Two more workers tender resignation...Ministry redirecting manpower to facility

Bust at Diamond Bond…Two more workers tender resignation…Ministry redirecting manpower to facility

May 20, 2017 News

Even as a male staffer remains in police custody assisting with an investigation into the pilfering of pharmaceuticals from the Ministry of Public Health’s Bond at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, other staffers who were initially implicated started to tender their resignations.
A total of 11 staffers – six men and five women – were taken into custody on Wednesday after police intercepted a minibus in which a quantity of pharmaceuticals stolen from the Diamond Bond was found. The lot of workers were interrogated about the quantity of pharmaceuticals that were stashed in the minibus.
The staffer in custody has admitted to stashing the quantity of pharmaceuticals in the minibus which has a conservative cost of about US$500 or $100,000.
This publication understands that the minibus, in which the stolen pharmaceuticals were found, is used to transport workers to Georgetown on a daily basis.
Following the police action on Wednesday one of the female staffers tendered her resignation with immediate effect. Yesterday two others followed suit, according to information disseminated by the Public Health Ministry.
In a Ministry statement issued yesterday, “two more employees attached to the Materials Management Unit [MMU {Diamond Bond}] signalled verbally that they will not be returning to the Ministry.”
An official informed that “just a handful [of the workers] turned up to work yesterday.”
But a Public Health official asserted, “Their unexpected resignation will not hurt operations at the holding facility.”
The official added, “Immediately, we are redirecting some manpower from other health facilities within Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) to cushion the loss of those employees.”
Public Health Minister, Ms. Volda Lawrence, who is currently on travel duties, has been informed about the ongoing events at the Diamond facility but another official said, “Other functionaries that advise on pharmaceutical management are working feverishly to bring the situation to adequate balance.”
It was revealed that the workers at the Bond were under the microscope since January following a Cabinet shakeup which saw Dr. George Norton, then Public Health Minister, being replaced by Lawrence, the former Minister of Social Protection. Dr. Norton has since been given responsibility for Social Cohesion.
MMU executives had long suspected pilfering of drugs, medicines, pharmaceuticals and other supplies. They got a significant break when police intercepted the minibus and discovered some stolen items stashed inside. This publication was informed that another quantity of items was found in a washroom in the Diamond facility.
“The bond was systematically raided by dishonest employees,” a Senior Public Health official said yesterday. The official explained that after Minister Lawrence assumed the helm of the Ministry, “systemic changes and insider information, which brought pressure on the perennial pilfering practice, helped MMU officials target some culprits.”
The Public Health Ministry has been dogged by procurement and other controversies, especially claims of a shortage of essential drugs in outlying regions. However, MMU records of distribution show that in many cases the shortages are artificially created, and like the Diamond find, a result of theft by employees.
It is alleged that some of those involved in the ring of venal employees have markets in the private pharmaceutical sector where the stolen items are allegedly sold.
An official said yesterday, “The arrest of workers and the confession of a prime suspect is a good thing for the Ministry.”
“Anything that intercepts corrupt practices and allow smooth transaction of business at the country’s largest holding facility, will allow for more and continuous presence of medicines and medical supplies in the various regions and various health facilities would be a gain for the health system and the country at large,” the well-placed official added.

Latest News

Bust at Diamond Bond…Two more workers tender resignation…Ministry redirecting manpower to facility

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Imlach masterclass 126, Alimohamed 66-ball 77, give Harpy Eagles life...

Fraser rebounds well, as Arjoon keeps perfect...

Guyana to host historic 3×3 Quest Tournament

Quarter-Finals in Mashramani Street Football...

Vurlon Mills Football Academy launches KFC...

DEMLIFE Golf Tournament tees off today at LGC

Features/Columnists

Due diligence on investments must become a priority

OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus

Awestruck and starstruck with a twist

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Bust at Diamond Bond…Two more workers tender resignation…Ministry redirecting manpower to facility

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]