PM Skerrit says surgeon Theodore Thomas’ contract may be renewed if it comes before cabinet. He said he should not be blamed for not taking a decision on a matter that has not come before the cabinet. He noted that renewing or terminating the contract of Dr. Thomas is the job of those in the Ministry of Health. He expressed hopes however that the celebrated surgeon may have his contract extended once the Ministry of Health brings the issue before the cabinet.
“Nothing came to us for renewal and therefore cabinet cannot disapprove something that has not come to it and this is a matter for the administrators in the Ministry of Health,” Skerrit clarified. “When it comes to the cabinet, the cabinet will take a decision, but as far as I know it has not come to the cabinet.”
The prime minister took his time to make this clarification during a conference of the Diaspora Forum which held at the Kempinski Resort. According to him, people delight in blaming him for everything that goes wrong in their homes or the country, even when he is not aware of many of these things. Sometimes, he said, he may be aware of some situations but there is no way he could act or interfere in them if they have nothing to do with him.
Dr. Theodore Thomas is the brother of the UWP candidate for the Salybia constituency. The surgeon allegedly announced in a WhatsApp broadcast that his contract expired on October 31 and that the government instructed him not to report for work the next day until the contract is renewed. The news of the broadcast spread quickly on the streets and many continue to heap blames on the DLP administration for the situation.
Q95’s Hot Seat show host Mathias Peltier Jr. is among those criticizing the government for not renewing Thomas contract. He said the situation smirks of political victimization, and that the prime minister should be aware of everything going on in all government ministries. Skerrit, however, said this is not correct because every ministry should be given a level of autonomy and independence once they are staffed by qualified professionals.
Skerrit said Thomas is a thoroughbred professional and a high-ranking surgeon in the health sector whose achievements cannot be undermined in any way. He added the surgeon is also a good man and it is likely that his contract may be renewed once it comes before the cabinet for consideration.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
