-RHO – Dr Harris-
“I am not bothered by the criticisms as they will be criticisms regardless of what you do,” these
were the words of Regional Health Officer (RHO) Region ten, Gregory Harris.
He was at the time speaking exclusively to www.aroundtheregions.com on a number of
allegations made against him by several nurses. Among the allegations are that the RHO has
been victimizing and seeking to discriminate against nurses who are seeking to express their
democratic rights of protesting.
Dr Harris when quizzed on the allegations dismissed them. He said that he will not be distracted
from his primary goals of improving health care in the region. He reiterated that despite the
efforts of many to drag him politically involved he is strictly maintaining a health position. Thus,
he isn’t bothered by the many criticisms, stating that he is strictly maintaining his position of
enhancing health.
“I have to do what I have to do as the RHO, so if people feel sidelined they can go ahead and say
what they want to say, I don’t have a problem with that,” he stressed.
Dr Harris warned that the nurses and those who are allowing themselves to be misguided by the
politicians should be careful, noting that several in the region are using the protests as an excuse
to execute their political agendas. He disclosed that the significant support and assistance being
given to the hospital has never happened under previous RHOs before. This he said should
awaken in them an eye opener to see that he is aggressively pushing health care delivery at all
levels and with the continued support of central government will continue to achieve such.
“I can’t sit down and take on these people. I have to do what I have to do. Since I have taken this
job, the hospital has been receiving more help from the region than any RHO from the previous
years,” he said.
He continued, “They have never received so much help from the region like they are receiving
right now and all these help that I am doing for them is because of this protest”.
The RHO expressed the view that several persons continue to use the protest actions as a means
of getting their way and while he understands the political strategy of same, he is adamant that it
will not improve the health sector. This he warns is very dangerous to the overall development of
the region and the residents. “They complaining to the CEO, every time they complain to the
CEO that they don’t have this, that they don’t have that, I have tried my best to provide it for
them,” he disclosed.
Admitting that he is cognizant that the protest in Region Ten was used as a political tool to
pressure the region and by extension the Government, the RHO said he understands the climate
that he operates in. He pointed out that while persons will continue to do whatever they choose
to, he is determined to get his objectives achieved, stressing that he has no intentions of sitting by
attempting to address every complaint, issue and or allegation being leveled against him by
persons whose sole objective is to be political.
“This thing is all about politics and I understand it so let them do or say what they have to. I
can’t sit every day to take on ppl with nonsense. We are matured people,” he urged.
Issuing a passionate appeal to anyone with evidence of him victimizing and or discriminating
against them, the RHO said that he would like them to turn over whatever evidence that they
have to the relevant authorities. He declared that he is not bothered as he has operated under the
scope and reigns of the law. Therefore, he challenges anyone to produce such evidence that they
claim to have.
“If they (accusers) have evidence that I have been victimizing them let them use it,” Dr Harris
concluded.
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