Doctors back Furlonge as hospital chief

The Medical Association of TT is fully behind Dr Colin Furlonge’s promotion to Ag Medical Chief of Staff at the San Fernando General Hospital, and said objections to his appointment can erode public confidence in the health services by “placing doubts in their minds” about his ability to function.

In a media release yesterday, public relations officer for the Medical Association, Dr Hari D Maharajh, said Dr Furlonge is a past president of the association and had a wide range of experience in organising, directing and the planning of services, both at the public and private levels. Dr Maharajh said Dr Furlonge is at Range 65 “which is a specialist post created by the Public Service for special administrative units. He has held this position since 1996.” He said Dr Furlonge should be encouraged to fit into the existing structure due to his years of experience, training and competence. Dr Maharajh offered the Medical Association’s assistance to the health authorities for doctors in transition to new positions. He said the organisation is confident that with Dr Furlonge’s experience in labour and management, he would act in accordance with the terms and conditions of his employment “and be an asset to both staff and patient.”

At last Thursday’s post-Cabinet meeting, Health Minister John Rahael indicated that the Ministry did not support Dr Furlonge’s appointment because he was inexperienced. Prime Minister Patrick Manning said constitutional reform is needed, which would include making the Public Service Commission (which appointed Dr Furlonge) more accountable. The Ministry had recommended Dr Anand Chatoorgoon to act as Ag MCS while Dr Austin Trinidade was on leave. It subsequently had to rescind the appointment after the PSC selected Dr Furlonge. 

Dr Fuad Khan, member of Parliament for Barataria/San Juan, and a former junior Health Minister, said Rahael’s comments reeked of contravention of the separation of powers “vis-a-vis” the rules and guidelines of the PSC and the duties of the State — Executive branch. Khan said it is mind-boggling, spiteful and vindictive for Rahael to publicly question Dr Furlonge’s qualifications when he was not qualified to be Health Minister. Khan said Government’s announcement that constitutional reform is needed was an attempt to “manners” the PSC to do its bidding. He described this suggestion as unadulterated shame for Government to be so blatant in its quest to impose a despotism and dictatorship in TT.