Daniel Calls Internal Conflicts Vexatious

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Health News

Thursday, 15 December 2011 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Conditions at the Ministry of Health have become “vexatious,” and Minister Wilmoth Daniel could hardly contain himself when he spoke of the disrespect and disregard for his authority from senior public servants in his department.

Daniel told the House of Assembly on Wednesday during the budget debate that as the minister, he was concerned about working conditions of his subordinates, as well as the attitude of others, particularly Chief Health Inspector Lionel Michael.

He said since he was appointed minister of Health in 2009, he has run into a series of issues with Michael regarding the safety and health standards of government buildings, including the Ministry of Health building, the Clarevue Hospital, and the city clinic. In every instance, Daniel said he proposed that the buildings needed attention, but was contradicted by Michael.

“I indicated to the government that the condition of the building was not good for the workers. There was a blistering attack against me… both on radio and all over the country… Shortly after, the chief health inspector came on the radio and said that nothing was wrong with the building and it was in good condition," Daniel recounted.

"I spoke of the asbestos, which can cause cancer. And I understood there were persons who worked in that building that had died from cancer. So, I kept quiet because there was no real support coming from friends or foe."

The minister said he continued to operate out of the building, but months later, the workers decided not to continue working there and took industrial action, deciding to work half-day.

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He told the House that the fire department later determined through an assessment that the building ought to be condemned in light of the asbestos, inadequate entrances and exits, and other issues.

Daniel said Michael’s actions condemn him as the minister. “I can’t be a minister of government and I have one of my subordinates undermining my authority," he said.

“He says he doesn’t take no orders from he,” Daniel told the House about the chief health inspector. “He says he takes orders from the prime minister and the other minister. ... As far as he is concerned, he takes no orders from me. I have met with the staff. I have spoken with the staff. I have given the staff my word that I’m going to assist them. I, as the minister, have fallen down because I am not getting the support to assist them. And I want the staff to understand that I am standing with them in this type of situation."

He further cited the issue down at the dental area of the health centre, which according to him was deplorable for both employee and patient.

“The staff expressed to me that they wished for the government to remove them from there because they were afraid they were going to get sick from the issues down there,"


Daniel said. "Once again, the chief health inspector said nothing was wrong with the building." Now, workers at the health centre are threatening to strike.

“It looks as though the whole of my ministry striking,” the minister said, citing the issue at Clarevue Hospital that could have been avoided, since he presented the issues before the employees took action.

“Up at Clarevue… It is a shame. You have people who have paid their dues, made their contribution to society. They are now up there living under terrible conditions. Somebody has to speak about that. I am saying to the minister of finance that some sort of arrangement must be made… in order to take care of that major problem that is happening up there… do some repairs. Some of the people are on the floor,” he said.

The minister noted that the Lions Club has come forward to assist, along with a few other groups, but he declared that it would take a lot more than small pittance to get the facility to a state of acceptance.


“I am concerned about it because it falls under my ministry,” he said. “Nobody in this day and age should be undergoing that type of treatment, whether they are crazy or not.”

He said too that he wants the attorney general to take whatever legal steps required to draft laws permitting the mental health facility to confiscate residents' money that is instead being used by the family who put them there.

He suggested that the legislation preserve this money to be used to take care of the people it is meant for, and contribute to the upkeep of their surroundings.

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