Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Health Leslie Cadogan has been dismissed for alleged gross negligence and misconduct in the performance of his duties.
Cadogan, who was sent on accumulated leave on July 20, 2015 by Minister of State Joseph Harmon was dismissed with effect from September 1 2015. Cadogan has in the past not responded to requests by Stabroek News for comment on matters related to his portfolio.
A letter dated August 31, 2015 from Harmon to Cadogan said that he was being dismissed in accordance with Clause 7 (a) of his contract. The letter went on to blame him for various problems related to the drug procurement. These were likely contracts with the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) which have been the subject of much controversy in recent years.
Harmon said in the letter, “Your failure to ensure that there was proper accountability in the delivery of drugs to the Ministry of Public Health was demonstrated in the incomplete delivery of supplies to the tune of $419,110,786 in one instance. In the other instance, you failed to ensure that the remaining 50% of $1.1b delivery of supplies was done.