For two months now -the KHMH has been searching for a CEO after the contract for Michelle Hoare was not renewed in mid-June.
Well, they were only two applicants for the post and reports that emerged today said that the Board of Governors had selected well known veterinarian and former BAHA boss Mike Tewes as the new CEO for the country's national referral hospital.
For many, the choice of a retired vet to run the nation's biggest hospital is - to put it mildly - puzzling. And today, at another event, the press grilled Minister off Health Michel Chebat about it and he supported Tewes:
Reporter
"A vet being appointed as CEO?"
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health
"Well I think that is a very narrow interpretation. Dr. Tewes has extensive experience in administration, I think he has served in the past as a CEO in 3 different ministries, so for you to say and limited to just personifying him as a vet I think you're short changing him."
Reporter
"Sir but Dr. Tewes is Dr. Hoy's cousin, Dr. Hoy sits along the board with his son-in-law who is your cousin. Dr. Tewes was essentially interviewed and approved by his own relatives while the chairman is absent with COVID. Is this not a clear cut case of nepotism?"
Hon. Michel Chebat
"I can't tell you how the interviews took place, I don't know who conducted the interviews. As you all know KHMH is ran by a board and they run their own affairs, so I cannot shed any light on how that process took place."
Reporter
"But do you know if there were other applicants though?"
Hon. Michel Chebat
"I believe there were 2 applicants Dr. Tewes was one and I believe Nurse Cansino was one as well."
Reporter
"So it's not strange to you that 2 of his relatives are on the board and they board voted for him, he was set to win a way."
Hon. Michel Chebat
"Like I said, I don't know what the vetting process was. I don't know if he was vetted by the directors or a panel and then recommendations made to the board. Honestly, I do not know, that's a board matter and I'm not privy to that information."
Reporter
"Sir he's in his 70s, is this an appropriate age to run a hospital?"
Hon. Michel Chebat
"Well you know what, I think he's in his prime, this is when he knows the most and has the most experience."
Well, since then a whole lot has changed. While Chebat confirmed that it was Tewes - who he described as in his prime - a press release from the KHMH 15 minutes ago says the position for the CEO HAS NOT BEEN FILLED. It adds that whenever a suitable candidate is chosen, the public will be notified.
We note that Chebat said that the other unsuccessful applicant was a person he called "Nurse Cansino" - who we take to be, Chandra Casino the manager of Corporate And Customer Relations Services at the Social Security Board.
