RHO being criticized for handling of COVID situation

Newly appointed Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Gregory Harris is being criticized by
several persons for his handling thus far of the COVID pandemic in Region Ten. The criticisms
come on the heel of the region’s rising cases and an apparent lack of vision for a more strategic
approach in addressing the situation.
Dr Harris seems more interested in garnering political mileage instead of seriously addressing
the matter. Since assuming the position, he has been seen touring with this minister and that
minister promoting himself and political work instead of seriously engaging health care
professionals that he is mandated to look after
Many was very critical of Dr Harris in how he assisted in the selection of the newly reconvened
RHEC committee, while disclosing that he made no objections to the unilateral removal of Dr
Joseph London, Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex and the Region Ten
Fire Chief, Courtney Springer. “You had persons who were extremely valuable to the RHEC, but
he sat by while the acting REO played around with the new committee. As a matter of fact, you
have more politicians on the committee like Derick ‘Skinny’ Wilson among others, instead of
those who can contribute technically and professionally,” one resident stated.
However, further investigations revealed that Dr Harris justified the decision of the acting REO
at the time by saying that he supports whatever decision that has been made by her.
Several are stating however that the new RHO has found himself in a very compromising
position, owing to his relationship with the APNU. It was disclosed that in securing a Chevening
scholarship in 2018, Dr Harris was aided by Region Four RHO and at the handing over
ceremony was listed as a doctor working in Region Four. Additionally, there are increasing
reports circulating that he had sought membership in the APNU in 2018 and had repeated his
interest in 2019. However, he did not get a party card as many were suspicious of him. “This is a
man who used to relate his interest in joining the APNU on numerous occasions. As such, it is
because of this that the then Chairman of the then Linden Hospital Board Mr. Mortimer Mingo
went out of his way to assist him. Dr Harris can play all the games that he wants as it’s no secret
that he wanted to join APNU and after he recognized that the PPP was winning during the
recount he began operating as a staunch PPP supporter,” a senior APNU official said.
This publication was directed to Dr Harris Facebook page and it was indeed noticed that while
the RHO has a number of politically motivated posts in favour of the PPP at the moment prior to
the 2020 election several of his posts sought to praise and recognize the work of the previous
administration.
“Frankly speaking, I am not interested in where his loyalty lies, but he must know that he is
mandated to enhance health care in Region Ten and if he cannot do it and is more interested in
his political career then he should step aside and allow a professional doctor to take up the role.
We are in serious times and he must understand that the general public is looking forward to the
work being done not the political mileage that he is seeking to garner,” another resident that
works in the medical profession declared.

Another opined, “instead of posting this and that and showcasing pictures of which minister and
that minister, he is in the company of. He should use his page more responsibly. Engage the
residents, engage the public, as while we admit that there are numerous information out there, we
need persons to use their individual influences in getting the messages out to their audiences. Dr
Harris should take a leaf out of the Minister of Health book, where he is constantly disseminating
information about COVID,” a disappointed resident declared.
The region has recorded 125 COVID related cases thus far.