— regional chairman outraged, suggests that some be recalled

THE Region Six administration is outraged after the Director of Health Services Jevaughn Stephens confirmed that 18 doctors at the New Amsterdam Hospital, including specialists, have recently proceeded on their annual vacation leave.

Stephens said he has done nothing wrong and placed the blame squarely at the feet of Medical Superintendent, Dr V. Khirodhar, who is tasked with preparing the roster for the doctors.

Addressing Regional Chairman David Armogan at a recent monthly statutory meeting, Stephens said, “Chairman, I have not seen the leave applications. This is unacceptable. Khirodhar has the responsibility of scheduling the doctors and she is also on leave.”
But, Armogan, fueled by a report of a councillor who claimed to have received poor service while being a patient at the Accident and Emergency Unit, said, “It’s ridiculous. How can you send eighteen doctors on leave,” he questioned.

“There is a shortage, because the A&E is not fully staffed and the medical superintendent went on leave and has approved 18. Those remaining cannot take off the workload as the A&E patients have to wait for several hours. This is totally unacceptable for health services. Something is wrong with the rostering of the leave.

The roster should have been prepared in such a way that the system does not suffer its beneficiaries,” the regional chairman said.
He has since suggested that some doctors be recalled while charging the director to ensure that there is a full complement of doctors to meet the demand.