– Director of Regional Health Services

THE Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six, DrVeerasammy Ramayya, was not ordered out nor escorted from the New Amsterdam Hospital, Director of Regional Health Services Jevaughn Stephens has stated.

During an interview with this publication, Stephens refuted all claims made in an article published in the Guyana Times of June 8, which claimed that Ramayya was evicted.
“Based on my facts, he (Dr. Ramayya) was never ordered out,” Stephens told the Guyana Chronicle.
Stephens said Ramayya had an engagement at which Mr Colin Bynoe, the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital and then left.
Bynoe related that he was shocked when he learnt of the contents of the article  and described it as “shocking and disturbing.”
The CEO acknowledged that he and the REO indeed had a private meeting on the day in question and they did discuss protocol, but at no point did he order the REO out of the  hospital nor did he escort him out of the compound as stated.
“I was in another meeting when I received a call saying that the REO was at the hospital and he was quarrelling about some work that was supposed to be going on in the operation theatres, so I informed the director, who asked that I leave and deal with the issue.
“When I got across there, I met the REO and DrYacoob. I asked for an excuse and we all walked to my office and I asked Dr. Ramayya for a private meeting in my office.
Bynoe said that he told of his concerns that he (Ramayya) was lambasting the New Amsterdam Hospital on national television without seeking clarification on the matters he was complaining about.
As such, Bynoe said that he begged of Ramayya that he contact him with any concerns he may have.
Bynoe explained that they discussed other issues and the REO said he had to leave to attend an urgent matter in Region Five.
The Director of Health Services acknowledged that the REO has overall responsibility for the five programmes in the region, but he should communicate better with the persons in charge.
“While I believed that the REO has the authority over the five programmes, better communication must be the order at the end of the day between himself and different programme managers.”
Ramayya said he learnt there was a problem with one of the operating theatres and he went over with the regional engineer and a plumber to fix the problem, and it is then that Bynoe joined them and asked for a meeting in his office.
“Myself and the CEO had a closed-door discussion where he expressed some concerns; that discussion ended and we spoke on other matters.”
As it relates to protocol, Dr. Ramaya is of the view that as REO he can visit any governmental institution he wants without having to explain himself to anyone.
“As the REO, I reserve the right to go anywhere,” Ramayya declared.