RHO tries to hide behind WHO guidelines

EMBATTLED REGIONAL HEALTH OFFICER (RHO) Dr GREGORY HARRIS
SOUGHT REFUGE in WHO guidelines recently to defend his performance when he faced
intense grilling from the Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten) Regional Democratic
Councillors (RDC).
“I have always followed the guidelines of the WHO (World Health Organisation) in executing
my role as RHO,” Harris informed the RDC when he and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mr.
Dwight John answered questions for what was described as their tardy and ‘unprofessional’
conduct in handling the case of a One Mile Health Centre employee who contracting the deadly
COVID-19 disease.
Outraged RDC Chairman, Mr. Deron Adams reminded the two senior government appointees
about their significant lapse in allowing an entire weekend to pass with no systems put in place
to protect workers resulting in several other health centre employees contracting the virus.
“Comrade Chair it was Friday and…the health centre doesn’t usually open on Saturdays and
Sundays. For that reason, like I said before, we explained to them (staff) on Friday that we will
be testing everybody on Monday. Based on the five days, your virus load would be high enough
so that the PCR test can detect the virus. That was done on Monday and the results came back.
They were negative and they were informed and work continued that day. The positive case that
we got the individual was informed and she 9was) in isolation. Simple!” Harris told skeptical
RDC members.
HARRIS’ CASUAL EXPLANATION OUTRAGED SEVERAL COUNCILLORS causing
them to demand intervention by Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony to put an end to a
dangerous ‘culture’ of disrespect being exhibited by the REO/RHO duo.
THE RDC REJECTS THE CONTINUED DISDAINFUL CONDUCT of Harris and John,
Adams reiterated.

Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Douglas Gittens also reminded RDC colleagues and the embattled
RHO that the Task Force was nonfunctional for several weeks and enquired about its restarting
to safeguard the health of Region Ten residents against the contagious and deadly virus.
REO John seemed oblivious that the Task Force was on pause while he was away for a month.
“In my absence Dr. Harris as the Regional Health Officer would (usually) chair the meetings but
I can assure you that…we will restart having our regular Task Force meetings,” said the contrite
REO John.
Meanwhile when quizzed by RDC officials on reported shortages of medical supplies and drugs
at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), a visibly-upset Harris demanded they speak with the
CEO who holds that responsibility.
WHILE INTERNALLY, THE VIEWS OF THE RDC, REO AND RHO ARE TAKEN
LIGHTLY, Chairman of the Health Committee, Mr. Gordon Calendar, reminded the meeting
that Region Ten residents want answers to their myriad problems and those answers must be
forthcoming.
There is no place for elected officials to hide.