The Region Six Democratic Council was yesterday informed that the New Amsterdam Public Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer is expected to be replaced following a series of complaints from residents of Berbice.
In addition, a new mortuary will be constructed in the hospital’s compound to improve the services offered at the health institution.
Zamal Hussain, Chairman of the region’s health committee said he was informed that the CEO, Dr. Samantha Kennedy, would be replaced. He said this was revealed during a meeting on Wednesday among the permanent secretary attached to the Ministry of Public Health, the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako, a representative from the Ministry of Communities, the Director of Regional Health Services, Region Six, Jevaughn Stephens and other officials.
Last week, members of the public had complained about new procedures at the hospital and long waiting times. On Wednesday last, residents of Region Six held a picketing exercise outside of the institution. The upset residents called for the immediate resignation of Stephens and Kennedy.
According to Hussain, various issues were raised and discussed during the high level meeting on Wednesday, “and we made some very important decisions, one such decision was that there will be a new CEO at the New Amsterdam Hospital”. Hussain stated, that he was told that Dr. Kennedy was temporarily placed at the hospital, “and she failed immediately”.
Stephens, when contacted yesterday said that to his knowledge Dr. Kennedy is still at the hospital until another CEO is appointed. He also stated, that the CEO was temporarily placed at the hospital.
Dr. Kennedy was placed at the county’s health facility sometime in October last year, after the ministry opted not to renew then CEO Colin Bynoe’s contract.
Meanwhile, Hussain stated, that during the meeting a decision was made to have a brand new mortuary built in the New Amsterdam Public Hospital compound. He noted, that the permanent secretary also requested that the region include financing in the next budget to purchase freezers for the new mortuary. The council was told that the construction of the new mortuary would be financed by the Ministry of Public Health.
Meanwhile, Stephens yesterday when questioned stated that maintenance work is still being carried out on the current mortuary to ensure that it is up and running so as to facilitate Berbicians until a new mortuary is constructed.
He stated, that the location of the current mortuary was not ideal, since it is a few steps away from the Accident and Emergency Care and Outpatient Units.
