Health Minister Addresses Investigations at Southern Regional Hospital  

Recently, the Southern Regional Hospital staff found themselves under scrutiny due to an investigation into the misappropriation of funds. Police have arrested accounts clerk Thalia Gillett for misusing funds. Additionally, in October, custodian Lyndon Parham was charged with sexual assault after allegedly kissing his unconscious boss at the hospital. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard reassures the public that these incidents have been thoroughly investigated and proper protocols followed. He emphasizes that the hospital’s reputation should not be tarnished by these isolated events.

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“When I got the report, I got the call we started the investigation. I asked the CEO to look into the matter and we found that there were some improperties done at the Southern Regional Hospital however I cannot speak to the issue because it’s in the, it’s going to be in the court and so I don’t want to divulge anything at this point in time that will. In terms of this case, we are going, all I’m saying is that we did our investigation. It’s matter now in the hands of the police who will take the matter to the court. And from there, then we can provide a better response.”

 

Reporter

“But as the Minister of Health, can you talk to us about what’s going down in Dangriga? We actually had a case of sexual assault coming from that hospital as well. Most recently, are you guys concerned about the culture down at the southern regional?”

 

Kevin Bernard

“It’s an unfortunate situation that occurred, but you cannot say this is a culture at the Southern Regional. You’re putting everybody in the same wrong shoe. That’s wrong to say that, man. And you need to correct that. I do not agree that we can put every one of our health people, health professionals that are working hard to improve health outcomes in this country, in the shoe of somebody who made us a terrible, grave error.  That is another matter that is going before the necessary processes. It is. As if a person is permanently employed, he has to go to the commission.  We will not hold back on any investigation of anything, anybody doing any wrongdoing. I’ve said this from the very beginning. We will go through the processes that has to be followed, but we do it by the rule of law.”