And while Dr. Sosa has deflected blame – today both the KHMH Board and the Ministry of Health blamed the failure of negotiation efforts on his leadership.
Dr. Gary Longsworth, KHMH CEO
“While the board was prepared to accept the majority of the points raised by the union in their draft MOU, the union refused to negotiate on any single item proposed by the board. The union representatives presented an ultimatum that the board must accept every point as written by them. The KHMH Board has been working diligently to address the issues addressed to the board contained in the Prime Minister’s press release. The board has already initiated the process for a full and independent audit inviting the participation of the MBJU. The Board has further initiated the establishment of a procurement committee again inviting participation of the union.
The board has also started to investigate all allegations of over priced medication as reported in the preliminary audit and will be reporting directly to the Prime Minister. To date this has not shown any evidence of involvement of the present financial director. The KHMH Board entered into mediation with
the BMDU in good faith. In abandoning the process in this manner, even when the board has accepted majority of the union’s demands, it is clear that the interest of patients are not foremost on the agenda of the union.”
Dr. Ricardo Fabro, KHMH Board Chairman
“I will give you our revised proposal which is a counter proposal because this was not about demands and just accepting demands. This was an arbitration process that is caution, you bring forth your stuff and then we will propose our thing to get a memorandum of understand which involves both parties, not just a demand to the board. So here I have copies to give you of our revised memorandum of understanding and you will notice that they are more than reasonable, we have complied with most of their demands that at this point in discussion we could possibly have complied with. Other things need due process and that is why some were not complied to because due process is a legal issue that we have to look at.”
Keith Swift,
And that includes their request that you be suspended?
Dr. Ricardo Fabro,
“And also the Financial Director yes.”
Keith Swift,
Have you considered stepping aside until that independent audit is complete?
Dr. Ricardo Fabro,
“I think we have a process taking place and we would not like to prejudice that so I won’t make anymore comments on that.”
Keith Swift,
Are you disappointed that the doctors walked out?
Dr. Peter Allen, CEO – Ministry of Health
“I am disappointed. My feeling and I think I will leave the facts here to speak for themselves, my feeling is that the memorandum of understanding with the points raised by the board agrees in most substantive areas with those already raised by the union.”
