Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) , Michael Khan has been told by Health Minister Dr George Norton to stay off the job at least until Cabinet addresses the findings of the forensic audit into the institution.
Khan has been caught in the middle of conflicting instructions from Norton and Chairman of the board, Dr Carl `Max’ Hanoman. Khan had been told by the Chairman to resume work as the audit had not found anything adverse against him. Norton had countermanded this and told Khan the findings had to be evaluated.
The showdown between the Minister and the Chairman have raised questions about where final authority lies in relation to board matters.
The Health Minister told Stabroek News on Tuesday that even though Khan has been told to stay off the job, he remains the substantive Chief Executive Officer of the GPHC.
Hanoman had previously told Stabroek News that the Board’s decision to reinstate was based on the findings of the recently completed forensic audit into the procurement and storage of GPHC medications and medical supplies, which, he argued indicated no wrongdoing on Khan’s part.
He had explained that when the findings of the audit were presented, they were scrutinized and the board found that there was no case against Khan.
“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.
Norton, on the other hand, has said otherwise, arguing that the Board’s decision to have Khan reinstated is “openly disregarding” the Ministry’s decision.
Alluding to the findings of the forensic audit, the Minister had 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. Khan had been sent on leave to facilitate the audit. Attempts by Stabroek News on Tuesday to garner a comment from Khan were met with instructions to speak with Hanoman on the issue.
Norton noted that the report had concluded that a 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.
In light of all such comments made by the Minister, Hanoman had 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.
Similar comments were reiterated on Tuesday by Hanoman when contacted by Stabroek News as he asked why the Minister doesn’t just “scrap” the Board if the decisions made by the body will be subject to such disregard.
