Demand for removal of RHO increases

A large number of health care professionals in Region One is demanding that the relevant
authorities remove Dr Steven Cheefoon from Region One.
Dr Cheefoon who is Region’s One Regional Health Officer, has been facing increased criticism
over his treatment of health care professional and the handling of the region’s health matters.
This and other complaints have been reported to several regional leaders as the health care
professionals seek intervention for what they have dubbed as the RHO’s blatant disregard for the
nurses and other key personnel in the region.
“Since he came to this region, we continue to suffer immensely, and it seems that no one cares
about the challenges and difficulties that we are faced with from the regional and central
government level. This is cause for the relevant authorities to intervene,” some nurses said to this
media house.
Relating to www.aroundtheregions.com, the health care professionals detailed several instances
and experiences where they were treated in a scanty manner. Some disclosed that because of the
RHO’s behaviour and attitude to them, many are reluctant in continuing to serve. “This is our
region and its sad that here is a man who evidently have issues with women, continues to
victimize and discriminate against them and he continues to restrict them,” the nurses said.
Some disclosed that while the impression is being created that Dr Cheefoon’s heart is with the
region, some holds a different view. They noted that any health facility will relate the long list of
difficulties and challenges that they are experiencing at his hands, with some even alleging that
they have been verbally abused by the RHO. “We what to know if because we are Amerindians
that we must be forced to accept this kind of treatment, as this isn’t fair. It seems like
Amerindians are treated in the most disrespectful way and this man (Dr Cheefoon) has no respect
for us as Amerindians and secondly as professionals from this region we will not take it much
longer,” some evidently angry health professionals declared.
The workers said that because of his tardy attitude towards them, it has resulted in many
professionals wanting to leave the region. They confessed that while they have reported their
concerns to the relevant regional authorities, including the Regional Executive Officer (REO),
they feel that their concerns are falling on deaf ears. “We have been appealing to everyone who
we can, but unfortunately it seems like no one cares about what we are going through. It is
evident that because persons are fearful of losing their jobs based on the many threats that has
been made by the RHO, we are forced to remain quiet, while we are treated as though we are of
no use,” they said.
Several of those making complaints said that they would like officials from the Ministry of
Health in Georgetown to visit the region to listen to concerns and issues affecting them. They
said that the only reason why many of them continues to serve, is because they are from the
region and the wellbeing of their fellow villagers are of paramount importance.

“The only reason why we continue to serve is because at the end of the day we are from here
(Region One), and the residents we serve are from our region. How long more does the Ministry
of Health and more so the relevant authorities expect us to continue, as this isn’t fair to us,” one
nurse argued.
The healthcare professionals declared that they are in the process of putting together a petition,
which is seeking his immediate removal. They declared that if the relevant authorities are
genuinely interested in enhancing the healthcare within the region, then ensuring that the right
persons are in place. “We recognize that Dr Cheefoon seems to have his way wherever he goes,
but those in authority will soon have to listen to us, as we have no intention of taking this much
longer,” they said.
Many of those speaking to www.aroundtheregions.com have expressed fear that with them
highlighting and publicizing several issues taking place in Region One, they may be treated like
Staff Nurse/Mid-Wife, Sherilyn Marks of the Ft. Wellington Hospital in Region 5 who had
exposed Dr Cheefoon and some of his colleagues with regards to drug overdose some years ago.