DR BHERI RAMSARAN has been relieved of his duties as Health Minister by His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, according to a statement issued yesterday morning from the Office of the President. The decision was made after a meeting between the President and Dr Ramsaran, during which the Head of State reiterated his outrage at the verbal outbursts and insults uttered by the Health Minister recently.

President Ramotar has named Dr Jennifer Westford to act as Minister of Health.
The action follows a commitment from President Ramotar to address the widely criticised action of Ramsaran.
The ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), at its level, also sanctioned Ramsaran. “We have sanctioned the comrade,” said General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C), Clement Rohee, when asked at his weekly news conference, which was held on Monday at Freedom House, Robb Street.
Asked to detail what the sanctions involved, he said, “He was spoken to very seriously.”
Recent comments made during and after a confrontation with local social activist, Sherlina Nageer, had landed Ramsaran in hot water.
The Health Minister last Monday reportedly talked about having Nageer “slapped” and “stripped” when approached by her on the issues of maternal and child deaths.
Subsequently, he apologised for his comments, attributing his outburst to the fact that he was provoked to anger. “It was unfortunate that I was provoked into anger and uttered harsh words at her for which I now regret,” the minister said in his apology.
However, a recording of a meeting he held with Regional Health Officers (RHOs) the following Wednesday, was made public and Dr. Ramsaran was heard repeating some of what he said on Monday, as well as charging that Nageer is “rabid,” a “miscreant” and in need of “psychiatric help.”
PUBLIC CALLS
The gravity of the debacle considered has fuelled mounting pressure on the Administration to have Ramsaran dismissed.

At a news conference yesterday, Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon disclosed that the consequent implications of Ramsaran being relieved of his ministerial duties are expected to follow.
“The question that you have asked whether he is still a member of cabinet, well that is what I will have to find out, if he has been relieved of his ministerial post, I want to believe that those subsequent developments have also taken place,” he said.
According to him, the President’s response is “indeed a response” that many have been waiting to hear.
Dr Luncheon said, “The pressures I am pretty certain you are aware that have been brought to bear on Minister Ramsaran about his utterances, and I suppose as we would say that the pressures have prevailed, that is all I would be able to say now.”
Prior to action being taken, there have been calls from several sections of society for the Health Minister’s resignation, the most recent coming from the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
“We believe that his behaviour warrants the sanction of the President and we are looking for the President to take the right action necessary,” PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud said when questioned about the incident on Friday, April 24.
In addition to President Ramotar and the leadership of the PPP/C, Ramsaran’s colleagues, as well as members of civil society and the diplomatic corps have condemned his behaviour. (Vanessa Narine)