Appoint another Minister of Health

THE EDITOR: Why am I not surprised that there is an exodus of staff from the NWRHA? The organisation continues to be one of the most dysfunctional in the country and no one seems capable of halting the slide. At one time I believed that there was some hope when Stevenson Sarjeant was appointed as a director. Well, we all know what happened to him and his expertise in organisational change. He was summarily dismissed for helping too much.

It is clear that the most capable persons are falling afoul of the powers that be, and their only recourse is to find employment elsewhere.
My own thinking suggests that the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of the policy makers who are reluctant to compromise their monthly stipends and perks by adopting principled positions on the continuing interference by the Ministry of Health. The RHA Act is now a farce which has been contravened to the detriment of the efficient running of the health sector and this should be of major concern to the Government, as an act of Parliament obviously means nothing. What is apparent, is the inability of the Minister of Health to manage on his own. The portfolio he holds is quite easily the most challenging, so maybe consideration should be given to the appointment of a second Minister of Health with strong managerial and people skills.

JUDY JACKMAN
Westmoorings