Dear Editor,
It is with great concern for the professional practice of journalism by a few media outlets in Guyana that I am writing this letter to address very glaring misinformation that was carried in some sections of the press on Friday February 8, 2019. Some print media houses along with a few online news outfits and some television newscasts (on the evening of Thursday February 7, 2019) carried stories that suggested that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Dr. Samantha Kennedy was relieved of her position.
The headlines were as follows: “New Amsterdam Hospital CEO fired” – Guyana Times; “N/A hospital CEO removed from “temporary” position” – Kaieteur News; “New Amsterdam CEO fired” – https://www.inewsguyana.com/new-amsterdam-hospital-ceo-fired/; “New Amsterdam CEO fired” – https://newsroom.gy/2019/02/07/na-hospital-ceo-fired/. On Monday February 11, 2019, Guyana Times carried another story entitled: “NA Hospital CEO remains on job – Minister Cummings intervenes”.
Editor, I would like to categorically state that to the best of my knowledge, the CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital was never dismissed by the Ministry of Public Health. That all these media outlets can carry a story without ascertaining the veracity of the information they may have received demonstrates grossly irresponsible journalism that is most dangerous to the wellbeing of society at large. We are living in an era where fake news is disseminated to deliberately mislead persons through the spread of misinformation. We must resolutely guard against such blatant spread of fake news in our society.
The Guyana Times article I cited earlier and published on Monday February 11, 2019 states: “Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Amsterdam Hospital Dr. Samantha Kennedy remains on the job after junior Health Minister Karen Cummings reportedly intervened in the matter.” I would like to categorically state that I have not had any cause to intervene in this matter as I am not aware that the Ministry of Public Health had dismissed the CEO of the New Amsterdam Hospital. The article also went on to state the following: “Guyana Times understands that following the embarrassing reports in the media and the RDC announcement that Dr. Kennedy was fired, the junior Health Minister, who is Dr. Kennedy’s godmother, reportedly sought a less harsh decision.” Again, I will state categorically that I have made no such intervention on the matter of the New Amsterdam Hospital CEO, neither am I her Godmother.
Within the same article, it states that: “Dr. Kennedy went to the hospital on November 5 last year and has been the center of much controversy as several allegations were levelled against her. The first being that she took six weeks’ leave two days after taking up the appointment.” Dr. Kennedy did not take six weeks leave after being sent to the hospital. What really transpired was that Dr. Kennedy along with Dr. Carlos Martin from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) travelled to Israel to read for a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Systems Management at the Galilee International Management Institute. Dr. Kennedy travelled on Sunday November 11, 2018 and returned on Friday November 30, 2018. Dr. Kennedy has not taken any vacation leave for 2018. At no time was Dr. Kennedy ever on vacation leave much less six weeks’ vacation leave.
These convoluted ideas that are dreamed up and published by some media houses are ludicrous, puerile, and downright stupid. If this is what is being passed for journalism, it is a frightening reality in which we live.
We at the Ministry of Public Health are working tirelessly to offer the best quality health care possible to the people living in Guyana. This quality delivery is being done amidst myriad challenges even as we shape policies and guide actions to establish a health system that is efficient, effective and responsive. New Amsterdam Hospital has made great strides within the last three years and will continue to transition itself into a modern state-of-the-art facility geared towards providing the best patient outcomes within Region Six.
The health of the Guyanese people is a national priority of this APNU+AFC government. Therefore, we are not desirous of playing politics and using the health of an entire community as a means to a political end. We have a public health mandate to deliver the best quality of healthcare possible and we intend to do so. There is never a good time to play political games in a health care system. Oftentimes the people who use the public health care system have no other alternative. Therefore, it is imperative that we as a government and as a ministry do not fail them. In this regard we are constantly reviewing our systems and policies to ensure we are better able to serve the people of Region Six.
Spreading false rumours and trying to create panic in society is very irresponsible. I ask that the purveyors of such misinformation desist from such actions. I also call on the Guyana Press Association to join me in condemning the false reporting that has been done by the media houses identified.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Karen Cummings M.P.; D.PH (h.c.); MPH; MBBS, BSc.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health
