MPATT upset over new health director

At a media briefing yesterday, MPATT president, Dr Ramjit Chunilal, said the appointment of the nurse, who had been retained by the ministry on a contractual basis since 1995, was a "gross and marginally obscene transgression" of the public health care sector.

"MPATT has reviewed in detail the qualifications of the individual selected by a phantom interview panel and, clearly, in our humble opinion, she lacks the basic qualifications necessary for the effective discharge of duties in this posting," Chunilal said.

According to documentation provided by MPATT, the position was created by Cabinet in March 1999 at range 66. That position, he added, is equivalent to that of a medical chief of staff.

Chunilal said that the position requires the holder to possess a degree in health administration, supplemented by a recognised certificate in quality management.

The candidate must have extensive experience of more than eight years in the management of quality health care programmes, including experience in health services/care in an administrative capacity.

MPATT vice-president, Dr Rajendra Persad, cited a June 2004 memo from the Chief Personnel Officer, to the Director of Personnel Administration, which stated that the officer "does not satisfy the requirement for the office."

Persad noted that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Hamid O’Brien, had subsequently written to the PSC chairman in a memo dated July 2004, which requested "that the requirement of a university degree be waived with respect" to the candidate.