Are things cosier at the Ministry of Health?

Aside from authorization to Danini Contreras, Ministry of Health C.E.O. Peter Allen has also issued authority to two others to approve entry of medical supplies through Customs. As we’ve also confirmed, Director of Health Services Michael Pitts has been left out of the loop. He had no knowledge of the appointment of Contreras, and likewise, he was not informed that three new persons were authorized to sign Customs entries. It’s a very curious set of events which suggests that things are not quite kosher in the Ministry of Health.

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Peter Allen, C.E.O., Ministry of Health

“The advice we received, the legal advice and the regulatory advice we received is that it is a risk to have only one person who can sign such entries. When they are not available for any reason, the supplier is required of course to store the items at customs or at the border entry points and after a certain number of days that carries a cost, and obviously that is also a delay when we would need the medications to distribute. So on that legal advice we decided that we would add, not remove anybody, three other pharmacists – Ms. Danini Contreras, the Senior Pharmacist from the Central Medical Stores office, and the Drug Inspector who took over from the past Drug Inspector in January.”

Reporter

Peter Allen

“Does not the scrutineer have to also check to maintain that the integrity of the overall supply system is maintained in every regard.”

Peter Allen

“And that is done and that hasn’t changed whatsoever.”

Reporter

“But are you not…or the implication is…the direct allegation, accusation is that you are undermining that by taking this authority out of the person who is legally authorized to do so and putting it in the hands of others who may be open to your influence, or the Minister’s influence. I’m not casting aspersions but…”

Peter Allen

“We understand, and please remember that we have not taken away any authority from anybody.”

Michael Pitts

Reporter

“The three additional persons who have been recommended as signatories. Who do they report to directly in the Ministry?”

Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services

“Well I know that we have one member from Central Medical supplies who reports to the C.E.O….and then two others who should report to me…”

Reporter

“You say should…so who are they reporting to?”

Michael Pitts

“Well they’re not reporting to me at this point.”