GPHC’s CEO sent on leave

Last Updated on Tuesday, 1 September 2015, 4:12 by GxMedia

The Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Michael Khan (right) assisting Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton in responding to questions by the opposition during the National Assembly’s consideration of the 2015 Budget Estimates.

Days after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Michael Khan sat next to Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton and helped him to defend budgeted expenditures; he has been sent on leave.

Norton confirmed that Khan was ordered to proceed on 48 days leave on the advice of an auditor.

Asked if discrepancies were found or Khan was merely asked to proceed on leave procedurally while the audit was being conducted into the procurement and storage of medication and other medical supplies, the Public Health Minister only said “it warrant him being sent on leave.” T

Khan refused t comment, when contacted.

Demerara Waves Online News was told that the CEO could be fired only by the GPHC’s Board of Directors and that he has to be given three months notice or payment of all his benefits.

It was on August 26, 2015 that Khan assisted Norton in responding to questions from the opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) in the National Assembly’s Chamber about monies that have been allocated in the 2015 National Budget.

Back in November, 2013 Khan was asked to take 60 days accumulated leave by then Chairman of the GPHC’s Board, Nirmal Rekha but in less than one week he was back on the job after then Public Service Minister and Acting Health Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford  found that a protest letter that he had dispatched to her had merits.

At that time, Westford had said that only the Board had the authority to send the Chief Executive Officer on administrative  leave to facilitate any investigation at that health care institution.