Trinidade wins battle over leave

DOCTOR Austin Trinidade has won his battle with the Health Ministry on how and when he should proceed on long leave.

Yesterday the Minis-try backed down on its decision to force Dr Trinidade to go on 226 compensatory days off with immediate effect. The decision came in the midst of protest, a threat by Trinidade to initiate legal action and support for Trinidade by the Medical Professional Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT). The Ministry offered the Medical Chief of Staff two options yesterday. The first, described in a letter to Trinidade, was for him to continue on leave while the second was for him to proceed on a later date. Dr Trinidade told Newsday he opted for the second offer and would return to work. He sent a letter to this effect to Permanent Secretary Hamid O’Brien.

The Ministry’s offer is expected to see Dr Trinidade back at the San Fernando General Hos-pital as medical director where Dr Anand Cha-toorgoon has been acting for him. The doctors, who were previously on “sick-out” action, have returned to work at the hospital. Dr Trinidade said he was grateful for the doctors’ return to work, adding that he had called MPATT doctors to call off a protest planned for yesterday over the Ministry’s stand against him. “While I appreciate their support, I asked the doctors not to protest but return to their jobs. I have always valued the care of the public above my personal concerns. I look forward to returning to work soon,” he said.