Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) are at loggerheads over the recent reinstatement of Michael Khan as the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Minister Norton confirmed that Khan had been reinstated, but was quick to point out that the decision was not one made by his ministry.
Instead, he accused the GPHC Board, headed by Dr Carl Max Hanoman, of “openly disregarding” the Ministry’s decision by having Khan reinstated as the hospital’s CEO.
Last September, Khan was asked to proceed on accumulated leave in order to facilitate investigations into the procurement and storage of GPHC medication and medical supplies, following an audit of the GPHC.
Norton explained that he had received a letter from the Board informing him of a meeting at which Board members had questioned the author of the audit. It was there, he said, that the findings of the forensic audit into the operations of the hospital and Khan’s behaviour had been discussed and a decision to reinstate Khan was made.
Alluding to the findings of the forensic audit, the Minister argued that there was evidence that would indicate a level of inefficiency and incompetence on Khan’s part. This, he said, was enough to validate the ministry’s decision to send Khan on administrative leave.
He noted that the report had concluded that number of issues exist in relation to the management of the hospital.
“The view expressed was that the management, inclusive of the CEO, did not allocate the necessary resources to curb deficiencies which could’ve been easily corrected. Instead, these deficiencies continued and cost the hospital millions of dollars which could’ve been put to better use. As early as 2013, directors would’ve debated on taking action against Khan but this did not happen until now,” Norton said, while adding that the report was still being examined, which is why no decision had been announced about Khan’s status.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Hanoman called on the minister to limit his interference in the functions of the board.
He too used the findings of the audit report to support the decision to have Khan reinstated.
Contrary to what Norton would have said, Hanoman argued that the findings did not provide evidence to support any wrongdoing on Khan’s part.
With this in mind, he emphasised what he said was the importance of the Board being allowed to function as an autonomous body, without the interference of the Minister of Public Health.
He further said that it would seem as though the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Finance are not on the same page with regard to the findings of the forensic audit, since he cannot understand the reason why there would be an issue with Khan’s reinstatement.
Hanoman went on to explain that when the findings of the audit were presented, they were scrutinised, which led the Board to believe that there was no weakness in the findings which were presented. “It was only right and just that we reinstate him [Khan]; if the audit did not find any evidence that he did any wrong, why not reinstate him?” he asked.
This being said, the Chairman wished to note that the decision to reinstate Khan was a collective one that was agreed upon by other members of the GPHC board.
Additionally, Hanoman pointed out that as Chairman of the board, he does not have any hidden agenda, but rather the best interest of the hospital and patients’ care as his main priority.
“I am tasked with being the Chairman of the GPHC Board, but if my work is not up to the standard that is expected, then tell me… don’t try to interfere with the Board; let us not make this a public spectacle, let us forget all this quarrel and focus on the progress of the hospital,” he added.
With Khan being sent on administrative leave, former CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital Allan Johnson had been selected to perform the duties of CEO at GPHC. However, Hanoman has since related that Johnson had proceeded on one month’s leave prior to Khan’s reinstatement.
