Rahael challenges UNC: Prove I am corrupt

HEALTH MINISTER John Rahael challenged any Opposition MP to prove that he was involved in any form of corruption at any time during his 12 years in public service. Speaking during Private Members Day in Parliament yesterday, Rahael dismissed Opposition allegations that there was any impropriety in the award of contracts in several ongoing health initiatives such as the construction of renal dialysis centres in North and South Trinidad. Explaining that evaluations had not been completed in all of the cases referred to by the UNC, Rahael declared: “I have been in public service for over 12 years. I can state categorically that during my 12 years, I have never used my position for my personal benefit or any of my family. Never! I will challenge anyone in any place to question my integrity.

You cannot come here and subject people to unfair, unfounded, disparaging remarks under the guise of parliamentary privilege. I will continue to perform and to ensure that whatever is done under my watch has full transparency.” His declaration evoked thunderous desk-thumping from Government MPs. Rahael dismissed Caroni Central MP Dr Hamza Rafeeq’s assertion that splitting the North-West Regional Health Authority (NWHRA) into two separate RHAs would disrupt staff and incur additional costs. “There will be no disruption for the staff. You merged Central (RHA) into North-West (RHA) in 2000, what was the situation with the staff then? What was the situation then? Were you concerned with the staff then?  However you dealt with it, I’m sure we will deal with it better. The same way you can merge something. You can disengage it,” he declared. “We (UNC) brought all of them (RHAs) under one umbrella,” Rafeeq argued.

The minister sent the Opposition into a tailspin when he quipped, “A doctor is not a businessman. No doctor should really try to talk about figures because they’re really not capable of doing it. Stick to your profession.” House Speaker Barry Sinanan defended Rahael and the minister himself declared that he (Rahael) never said that doctors were stupid. Rahael explained that when the new North-Central RHA was formed, “there will be no additional staff other than a Board, a CEO and maybe four or five managers.” He also indicated that while the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex will be treating a larger number of patients from January (when all of its medical services will be free), “the only additional cost is staff and the consumables.” Expressing concern about patients being turned away from public hospitals and sent to private ones, Rahael said the ministry was examining the situation.