THE MEDICAL Professionals Association of TT yesterday said no attempt has been made to regularise the positions of doctors holding acting posts or advertise vacancies. Instead, MPATT said, the Health Ministry and Regional Health Authorities are using a “subversive process of hiring UN doctors to occupy posts.”
Fifty-six UN doctors will be arriving in TT in September as part of the foreign contingent recruited by the Ministry to work in the Public Service. They will be coming under the UN Volunteer Programme which is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Commenting on their arrival, Health Minister Colm Imbert was quoted last week as saying one of the reasons the Ministry is filling all vacancies and creating specialised surgical units is because of the “totally unacceptable” number of outstanding elective surgeries. However, MPATT said the vacancies which the Minister spoke of were not advertised internally or externally. “If such vacancies do indeed exist, then these posts need to be advertised so that all suitable applicants have the opportunity to apply,” said Vice-President of MPATT, Dr Lakhan Roop.
At present there are medical officers holding acting positions within the Ministry and RHAs. “It would be sensible for the service to regularise these acting positions, and only then would an accurate assessment of these vacancies be made.” Roop said the Health Ministry and RHAs are demonstrating that they do not intend to engage in any transparent policy of advertising and hiring of employees. “The much ballyhooed concept for transparency seems to have gone out the window.” Approximately 50-60 percent of all local medical graduates in the past ten years are working in the UK and US. However, Roop said no attempt has been made to recruit them for the local health system. “This begs the question, is it that taxpayers’ money will continue to be used in training our doctors and not providing an appropriate environment to encourage them to stay or return if they have already left?”
An excited Mc Cartha Sandy-Lewis, better known in the calypso world as Calypso Rose, called from New York yesterday to inform Newsday of the latest award she received from both the Mayor and Commissioner of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
After performing at a UNICEF celebration concert there on Sunday, with well over 10,000 patrons in attendance, Rose related: “When I finished my one-hour stint, people started calling for more. I then gave them a calypso medley before ending off with my gospel. On leaving the stage, the Mayor and Commissioner of Lauderdale Lakes brought me back on stage and presented me with the keys to the City of Ft Lauderdale Lakes.” Rose said that there was an inscription on the award stating: Presented to Calypso Rose, renowned singing artiste, who has made a great contribution to the music world.”
This latest award adds to over 75 other awards, titles and accolades Rose has received to date. Her very first came in 1975 when she received the Medal of Merit Class 2: Trinidad and Tobago Government from the Order of Her Majesty the Queen of England. Rose is expected in Trinidad today for the “Icons in Concert” show which will come off this weekend at the Jean Pierre Complex. She is even more anxious to be performing at this concert since the last time she was in Trinidad, the planned “Rose in Concert” never came off. Rose stated that she was sure that this one is going to take place.
A TOTAL of $200,000 in bail was granted to a family of five, including a grandmother and a pregnant woman, all of whom appeared before a San Fernando magistrate yesterday, charged with possession of ten rounds of 9 mm ammunition.
Brothers Keith and Wayne Achong, aged 32 and 28 respectively, their mother Grace Achong, 58, Keith’s six-month pregnant common-law wife Natasha Agard, 32, and Grace Achong’s 16-year-old nephew, all appeared before Senior Magistrate Ramraj Harripersad in the Second Court. The Achong brothers were granted $75,000 bail each, both women were granted $20,000 bail each, while the teen was placed on $10,000 bail. A woman, one of several family members who were in court yesterday, stood bail for the teen. Appearing for the five defendants was attorney Subhas Panday.
Police allege that ten rounds of 9-mm calibre ammunition was found by a team of officers after they executed a search warrant at a house on the old Trainline, Victoria Village, San Fernando on Monday afternoon. The exercise was conducted by members of the San Fernando CID Robbery, Squad and Mon Repos police. In court, a livid Subhas Panday accused the police of using violent means during the arrest. He said some of his clients, including the pregnant Agard and Grace Achong, were abused by the police during the search. Panday even went as far to say that the matter would be taken up with the Police Complaints Authority. Court Prosecutor Cpl Samaroo had objected to bail on the grounds that the Achong brothers each had two pending matters in court. However, Panday accused the police of “abusing the Bail Act. The record is misleading. There are no charges pending; this is an act of persecution by the police,” Panday charged.
Outside the court, some family members verbally accused the police of physically abusing their relatives during the police raid. The matter was subsequently adjourned to next Monday.
Four Chaguanas men were yesterday committed to stand trial in the Port-of-Spain High Court by Magistrate Melvin Daniel for the November 2000 kidnapping of Camini Frederick.
Anderson Bonapart, 23, Hararrat Road; Kevin Phillip, 28, of St Thomas Village; Marlon Phillip, 25, of Tobago Road, Montrose and Osu Williams, 24, of Walcott Lane, were jointly charged with the kidnapping which reportedly took place at Western Main Road, Chaguaramas. The charge was laid indictably on November 15, 2000 by PC Matthew Straker who was then attached to the Carenage CID. Frederick, daughter of a Chaguanas businessman, was released the day after the kidnapping when $50,000 of the $300,000 ransom demand was allegedly paid to the kidnappers.
During the course of the preliminary inquiry, all four accused, unrepresented by counsel, cross-examined the witnesses, including Frederick, who was repeatedly called upon to give evidence. The men indicated that they did not wish to call any witnesses to give evidence on their behalf. Yesterday, Magistrate Daniel reduced the $100,000 bail to $90,000 and ordered the men to report to the Chaguanas Police Station every Friday between the hours of 6 and 11 am. Daniel said he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made against them and informed them that they will stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court. Marlon Phillip managed to secure the $90,000 bail, however, the others were unable to and remained in custody up to late yesterday evening.
COCORITE RESIDENT Vanessa Hernan-dez was yesterday sentenced to two years hard labour after she pleaded guilty to the lesser count of wounding Shaheeda Ali with intent to commit grievous bodily harm.
Hernandez appeared before High Court Judge Hubert Volney in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court on the initial charge of attempted murder. However, State attorney Cheron Raphael agreed to accept the guilty plea on the lesser count of wounding with intent. The court heard that around 4 pm on August 17, 1999, Ali was walking along John Street, Cocorite, when she got into an argument with Hernandez, who left the scene of the argument, went home and got a swizzle stick and an ice pick and returned to John Street. When she arrived there, she attempted to hit Ali with the swizzle stick, however Ali was able to get it away from her. She then attacked Ali with the ice pick, stabbing her several times about the body. Hernandez’ mother and brother rushed out and restrained her while Ali was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where she was treated and warded and later released. A report was made to the St James Police Station and PC Michelle Rowley-Powder conducted an investigation into the matter, which resulted in Hernandez being arrested.
Defence attorney Larry Williams told the court that his client was only 22 years old and pregnant at the time of the offence. He also read a letter written by Hernandez, which stated that she was going through a difficult time at home since her mother did not want her to have the baby. He also indicated that this client was going through some hormonal changes and had recently broken off her friendship with Ali over a man from the area that they had both gotten pregnant for. He said that the combination of stressful situations had resulted in the incident that occurred. In passing sentence, Justice Volney indicated that he was imposing the two-year sentence against Hernandez as a deterrent to other women who might be tempted to commit similar offences. He said that women must know that they cannot just go and get weapons and use it to attack others.
Carnival Messiah raked in over one million dollars in ticket sales during its recent run at Queen’s Hall. This was revealed at a luncheon held at the foyer of “The Hall” recently to say thanks to sponsors, media, members of the artistic community and organisers.
It has also given the board of Queen’s Hall an opportunity to continue putting on large scale productions as they have received several scripts by well-known authors, including Nobel Laureate Derrick Walcott. Director Geraldine Connor told the distinguished audience that no matter what some people think she believes in her work and hopes to take it worldwide. In her address, Minister of Culture Pennelope Beckles told Ms Connor as a Trinidadian she must be prepared “to take a little picong” as some of it would be constructive and we will be able to move forward.
The minister also reminded all that Trinidad and Tobago is a gifted society, and we must underscore the importance of sponsorship.
Sponsors included Republic Bank, NP, bpTT, Angostura, NFM, Maritime Life, NGC, NLCB, Ministry of Community Affairs, Ministry of Works and the Normandie among others. Also present at the luncheon with the sponsors’ representatives were Minister of Energy Eric Williams, Minister in the Ministry of Trade Diane Seukeran, Patrick Edwards, PS Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Sat Balkaransingh. Several tokens of appreciation were presented to the sponsors by members of the board of Queen’s Hall.
MINISTER of Local Government, Jarette Narine, yesterday expressed satisfaction at the way the Diego Martin Regional Corporation utilised monies derived from the Road Improvement Fund.
The monies allocated to the Corporation were used to build a series of concrete bridges and pathways. The concrete bridges replaced wooden-dilapidated ones. Overall, almost $500,000 was spent on the projects. Yesterday, the Minister toured the Diego Martin Region and saw for himself the completed works, facilitated by the Fund. He was accompanied by Corporation officials, including the Chairman, Steve Castagne, and Chief Executive Officer, Ashwin Creed.
MEMBERS of the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Airport Development Project, yesterday extended their condolences to the family of their fellow colleague, Peter Bynoe.
Bynoe, fondly known as “Bing,” died on Monday morning at his Maraval home from cancer. He was 85 years old. His illness forced him to withdraw from the Commission in May this year, two months before the Commission ended its 170 days of hearings. It was his last job.
Yesterday, Chairman of the Commission, retired Chief Justice Clinton Bernard, speaking on behalf of himself and his fellow Commissioners and attorneys who participated in the Inquiry told Newsday they learnt of Bynoe’s death on Monday during the course of preparing “our report.” He said while Bynoe was with the Commission, “He was of great assistance to us and I think his charm was something to behold. He was so charming inside our Chambers.” He described Bynoe as a “very nice person with a wealth of talent in his field of architecture.” Bernard said, “We mourn his loss and we will miss him.” He extended “our sincere condolences” to his wife and children and other members of his family. “May he rest in peace.”
The Commission is currently wrapping up work on the report which is due on Saturday. The other Commissioners are Victor Hart, Marie Ange Knights and Keith Sirju. Bynoe was a former Chief Architect in the Ministry of Works and the holder of the Hummingbird Gold Medal for his service in the field of Architecture. He leaves to mourn his wife, Dame Hilda Bynoe nee Gibbs, sons Roland and Michael and two grandsons Olukemi and Nandi-Peta. Funeral arrangements are being finalised.
MICHAEL BULLOCK, a convicted murderer for the 1979 Cotton Hill murders, has taken eight prison officers to court charging that they severely beat him at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) at Golden Grove, Arouca, two months ago.
Bullock, 42, claimed his jaw was broken and he suffered injuries to his head, chest, back, legs and face. He named the eight prison officers, among them a Supt at the MSP, in a writ filed on his behalf, claiming assault and battery. Bullock has been at the MSP for the past 23 years, having been sentenced to death. On Monday, attorneys Mark Seepersad, instructed by Gerald Ramdeen, filed the action claiming that on June 3, Bullock was in the prison’s courtyard when Prison Officer (PO) Joefield requested him to open his shirt pocket. He (Bullock) plucked out a note which Joefield snatched. It was torn into pieces and according to the writ, Bullock was taken into a cell block.
In the writ, Bullock claimed he was beaten by Joefield. He also claimed that another officer, Charles, also joined in with a baton, striking Bullock in the jaw and causing blood to flow. Bullock stated that he retaliated by biting Joefield. He added that officer Persad “cuffed” him in the face and choked him. Bullock stated that he was beaten with a baton about his back as PO Charles clutched him around the neck. Bullock said that he was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was diagnosed as having suffered a broken jaw. He also stated that he has since been placed in solitary confinement and fed a diet of rice water. The convicted murderer is claiming negligence on the part of the Prison Authorities. Persons named in the writ are the Attorney General, Commissioner of Prisons, Prison Superintendent Joseph Nassiah and Prisons Officers who included Charles, Aleem, Rahaman, Mahabir, Harrilal, Baboolal, Joefield and Persad.
CUBAN nurses continued their orientation sessions at the Port-of-Spain and St Ann’s hospitals yesterday and feedback from local nurses is that the Cubans are “excellent.”
An official at St Ann’s said nurses there reported that the Cubans “know their nursing stuff.” Last week, the nurses began getting familiar with their work places with visits to health centres, PoSGH and St Ann’s. The official said this orientation is a stipulation of the Nursing Council for foreign nurses to get registered to work in TT. He said the Cuban nurses were on the wards at St Ann’s “like any other nurse” although none of them will be sent to work there. Yesterday, nurses were also on wards at PoSGH and five nurses were at the Accident and Emergency Department observing the functioning of the unit. A senior nurse said they have been coming in batches and spending two days. “They are seeing how we do things, which is a little different to what they are accustomed to,” she said. The nurses are also comfortable speaking English. The nurse said while she “no habla Espanol,” their English is “pretty good.” The Cuban nurses are expected to be officially on the job from next week.
