A new acting CEO of the South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) has been appointed amidst reports that the incumbent, Anil Gosine, has been sent on leave for two weeks initially.
Chairman of the SWRHA board, Dr Alexander Sinanan, in a brief memo sent yesterday to all general managers, managers and heads of department, confirmed the appointment but not the suspension.
“Please be advised that with immediate effect, Mrs Gail Miller-Meade will be the (Ag) CEO of the South-West Regional Health Authority until further notice. Kindly extend all courtesies to Mrs Gail Miller-Meade as she interacts with you in the performance of her duties.”
Miller-Meade, who is a permanent SWRHA employee, is the substantive finance manager. There was no mention of Gosine or any suspension in the memo. However, sources claim the decision was taken during a meeting Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh had with at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Wednesday morning. Reports indicate that the board called Gosine into an emergency meeting sometime ago, after views aired by some workers attached to the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) on a weekend radio programme.
Serious allegations were made by the workers, including one about a scholarship being afforded to a relative of an SWRHA official for study abroad. Sources said Gosine, who has been in the position since 2011, actually led the Sinanan-chaired board on a tour of the Accident and Emergency department yesterday morning.
However, during a board meeting around 2 pm, Gosine was reportedly sent on leave. Security was also alerted to escort him off the compound but he left before that could happen.
Efforts were made to reach Gosine by telephone were unsuccessful last evening. According to the RHA regulations, the board may terminate the appointment of a CEO by giving him three months notice in writing or paying three months salary in lieu thereof.
Gosine, an engineer by profession, who previously served the SWRHA as general manager, operations, was appointed to the position when the former CEO Paula Chester Cumberbatch was fired in 2011, following the death of Crystal Ramsumair Boodoo during a botched C-section at the SFGH.