Dr Trinidade stays on as SFGH Chief

DOCTOR Austin Trinidade will remain the Medical Chief of Staff at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) instead of proceeding on 15 months leave, as he had previously been instructed to do. Ministry of Health officials informed Dr Trinidade last weekend of a decision to rescind an earlier directive for him to proceed on leave. Trinidade was asked to take all his accumulated leave beginning last Monday following the appointment of Dr Deepak Mahabir to act in his place.

Dr Mahabir died Friday morning and was cremated yesterday at the Shore of Peace, Mosquito Creek. Dr Trinidade was recalled to continue as Medical Chief of Staff for two weeks until the Ministry appoints a suitable replacement. If the Ministry decides to follow protocol and promote on the basis of seniority, the doctor next in line is R P Maharaj, Head of the Department of Surgery at SFGH. However, sources told Newsday Dr Maharaj has already declined the offer for the post. Next in line for the post is Dr Colin Furlonge, president of the Medical Professionals Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MPATT). Dr Anand Chatoorgoon, head of the Anaesthetics Department, who was appointed last year to temporarily act for Dr Trinidade, is also being considered for the post, Newsday was told.