RHO under fire for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic

REGIONAL Health Officer (RHO) Dr Gregory Harris is under fire for his handling of the
contagious and deadly COVID-19 virus which so far killed more than 150 Guyanese.
Critics have damned the RHO of Upper Demerara/Berbice (Region Ten) for being more political
than a health professional. Since his selection, opponents said Harris has strategically positioned
himself to gain column inches as a ubiquitous presence besides the minister, instead of
concentrating on beating the pandemic in the bauxite-mining, but impoverished community of
Linden.
The region has recorded almost 450 COVID-19 cases with six deaths.
“Frankly speaking, I am not interested where his loyalty lies, but he must know that he is
mandated to enhance healthcare in Region Ten. 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,” a health worker offered.
A visibly outraged resident of the bauxite-mining town said, “instead of posting this and that and
showcasing pictures of which Minister he is in the company of, he should use his page more
responsibly. Engage the residents! engage the public! While we admit that there is 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’s book, where he
is constantly disseminating information about COVID.”
Critics have pointed to Harris’ role in selection of the newly-reconvened Regional Health
Emergency Committee (RHEC); his approval of the unilateral removals of Dr Joseph London,
Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), the Fire Chief of the
Municipality, Courtney Springer and Retired Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Maylene
Stephen.
“You had persons who were extremely valuable to the RHEC, but he sat by while the acting
DREO, Dollete Powers played around with the new committee. As a matter of fact, you have

more politicians on the committee like ‘Skinny’ and others, instead of those who can contribute
technically and professionally,” one resident observed.

The APNU government offered Harris a Chevening scholarship in 2018 and subsequently he
sought membership to the then ruling party, it was widely circulated. However, top officials were
wary of his motives and withheld the signature membership card.
“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 recognised that the PPP was
winning during the recount he began operating as a staunch PPP supporter,” a senior APNU
official said of his double-agent type dealing.
Harris’ Facebook page displays a plethora of politically-motivated posts in favour of the
ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) coalition. Prior to the 2020 National and
Regional polls several of his posts praised the work of the APNU+AFC administration.