CNO Linda Johnson Retires

CHIEF NURSING OFFICER (CNO) LINDA JOHNSON HAS PROCEEDED ON PRE-
RETIREMENT LEAVE WITHOUT ANY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT from the sector she
served faithfully for more than three decades.
“This woman gave most of her working life to the Nursing profession. [She] worked tirelessly
and selflessly to ensure that the quality and standard of nursing in Guyana improved
significantly. There is no doubt about her meaningful and sterling contributions over the years
and to see how she was treated certainly leaves much to be desired,” a hurt colleague of the
outgoing CNO told www.aroundtheregions.com in an interview.
That the Health Ministry under the leadership of Minister Dr Frank Anthony failed to organise
even a simple retirement ceremony to eulogise the outgoing CNO smacks of disrespect and lack
of care, another colleagued told this media house.
Some believe Johnson’s snubbing by the senior management of the Health Ministry flowed from
their belief that she was a supporter of the former Public Health Minister, Mrs. Volda Lawrence
and her coalition A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)
government.
“I relay don’t care about her political affiliation and what some may want to suggest because the
view of many is that she contributed in a huge way and did her job professionally at all times.
Therefore, to have such a stalwart leave as if she was axed or removed from the system certainly
has left many wondering if it makes sense to dedicate one’s entire working life to the public
service because such statement is one that will scare many away.,” another anguished colleague
said.

Reliable sources have indicated that the very popular CNO proceeded on her pre-retirement on
April 2, but because she still had 119 days of outstanding vacation leave, she will officially retire
on August 1.
While health authorities still have time to save face, the public relations damage is already
complete.
Reliable sources recalled Johnson’s predecessor, Ms. Tarmattie Barker, was treated to a well-
organised and attended farewell, while Johnson was virtually rebuffed by Anthony, Permanent
Secretary (PS) Mr. Malcolm Watkins and other MoH staff. Many were only aware of her pre-
retirement status on her last working day, April 1 st (All Fools Day).
Johnson on the other hand, held a smooth handing-over ceremony to her deputy, Ms. Naline
Dass-Sutton.
CNO Johnson is leaving the profession at a time when nurses from the Linden Hospital Complex
(LHC) are embroiled in a fierce ongoing dispute involving its Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Mr. Rudy Small, who accused them of sexual indiscretions in a taped interview with this media
house.

LHC nurses are demanding Small’s removal from the healthcare institution, and refused to budge
from this position despite recent strong-armed tactics from the usually bellicose Public Works
Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill.
Nurses from Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten) in which the LHC is located are hoping that
her replacement will seek to continue the enormous and impressive work that she is leaving
behind, and will help end their dispute with CEO Small as quickly as possible.
“It’s a sad moment for many of us who are on the frontline here in Region Ten seeking the
removal of the CEO, Rudy Small, so you can understand that many of us are sad to see that
during this very difficult moment, in one of our fiercest struggles, the CNO is leaving. However,
while we appreciate and salute her for her countless years of service and invaluable contribution
to the nursing sector here in Guyana, we trust that whoever fills her position will seek to continue

the excellent and very respectful relationship that existed between us, the nurses in Linden, and
the CNO. We also express sincere thanks to her for her yeoman service and sincerely trust that
she (Johnson) is publicly recognised by the government and more in particular the Ministry of
Health,” a representative of the LHC nurses related to this media house.
Revered for her professionalism as CNO, the Health Ministry’s discourtesy deeply disappoints
nursing staffers.
Johnson deserves better, they collectively emphasised.
“This is a woman who never made it known that she was the boss, but rather sought to operate
professionally and ethically, allowing you to feel comfortable and for that, her contributions and
style in doing things will certainly be missed. When many of us (nurses) found out that she was
retiring it was a sad moment as we will really miss her style of doing things. We will miss a
CNO who treated all irrespective of their status, political and or religious persuasion, with the
utmost respect and for that, many of us are truly thankful and grateful,” a serving nurse
reminisced.
For nursing staffers in the ‘Ancient County’ East Berbice/Corentyne (Region Six), Johnson was
a fearless champion who defended them staunchly.
She “stood up for nurses rights to ensure we were given increased opportunities,” one New
Amsterdam nurse recalled.
“Nurses across Guyana will miss her. The nurses in New Amsterdam in particular will feel the
impact of her retirement as she stood by our sides when we were discriminated against and some
were victimised for varying reasons. It was her resilience and determination to ensure that we are
fairly treated that resulted in many nurses within Region Six being motivated to continue in a
profession that is faced with many difficulties and challenges and for that we say thanks to her,”
some nurses said.