President Donald Ramotar has denounced the conduct of Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsaran, following his widely-publicised verbal abuse of rights activist Sherlina Nageer, but has given no indication that he would act on growing calls for his dismissal, while the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday accused the “opposition media” of blowing the matter out of proportion.
“The statements and behaviour of the Minister do not reflect the high-standards I have set for Ministerial conduct nor the public’s expectations of an office holder. It is outright disrespectful and improper. I intend to have further discussions with the Minister on this matter,” Ramotar was quoted as saying in a terse statement released by the Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA), which said the president “strongly reprimanded” the minister.
However, the statement did not indicate how Ramsaran was reprimanded and did not address widespread calls for his dismissal. Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Ramesh Persaud yesterday suggested that Ramsaran was provoked but also noted that his conduct nonetheless warrants sanctions.
Nageer, in response to the statement on Ramotar’s action, maintained the call for Ramsaran’s dismissal, while saying nothing else would be acceptable. Supporters yesterday gathered in front of the Health Ministry once more to protest Ramsaran and called for his dismissal.
During an encounter outside the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday, Ramsaran was recorded saying he would slap Nageer for the fun of it and have her stripped in a public place. He could also be heard calling her a “piece of shit” and an “idiot” and demanding that she get out of his face. She had confronted him about the deaths of women and children in the health care system under his watch.
He subsequently apologised in a statement that also sought to blame Nageer for provoking him. But less than a day after, he was recorded telling Regional Health Officers (RHOs) that she was a “miscreant” and in need of “psychiatric help.” According to a recording of the meeting with RHOs on
