Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan is adamant that leaders of Carnival bands should not be compensated by the Government if next year’s mas is cancelled because of the Ebola virus. Dr Khan, who is leading T&T’s offensive against the deadly disease, which has not reached this country, said the State will not pay bandleaders one black cent. T&T, he said, is preparing to manage and destroy the virus if it should reach our shores.
Khan described claims for millions of dollars by the PSA president Watson Duke as greedy and unpatriotic.
Q: Dr Khan, why is the Government waiting for the last minute to say whether or not Carnival 2015 would be postponed, and aren’t you concerned about the cost factor in terms of compensation to the bandleaders?
A: This is something that the Government cannot make a rash decision about, especially something that is happening in several areas around the world. Granted it has the capacity to spread, but the international agencies are doing their best to stop and decrease any spread.
Nigeria has not had another Ebola patient for the past 48 days and hence will be considered Ebola-free very soon. Other countries are also in a process of containment, granted that one case arrived in the US and two people became infected who have not died, and another one is in Spain, etc. These things are showing the rest of the world the mechanisms and approaches for containment and management.
Some people, Dr Khan, are querying why should the Government feel obligated to pay bandleaders compensation if Carnival is postponed next year, when their presentations are profit-making enterprises. Why should the burden be placed on taxpayers to pay these people handsome sums?
Clevon (resolutely), I believe they should not be given one black cent from the Government. I also believe that those who stage Soca Monarch and chutney competitions should not get one black cent, either. The promoters of these shows do so with the intention of making some kind of profit, even though they do play a great role in promoting the culture of our twin-island State.
So the State should not fork out any so-called compensation package for the bandleaders?
That is my personal view, that the Government has no obligation to give any bandleader any money. Life is about risks. Being involved in some aspects of our Carnival myself, these people do make lots of profit doing so. Tell me something, Clevon, when last have you heard of any Carnival bandleader donating part of their takings to charitable causes such as the Children’s Life Fund?
I am not saying some of them do not think about the less fortunate, but I cannot remember any of them doing that. So why should taxpayers contribute to their personal enrichment?
Dr Khan, aren’t you concerned about the possible backlash if Carnival, chutney soca, and the rest of these shows are cancelled or postponed and the Government does not dole out compensatory funds?
I do not see any backlash if they are not compensated. Just like any other business venture, they have to suffer their losses and perhaps smile when they make their profits. And remember, I said this is my personal opinion.
Another thing I want to say is that most bandleaders over the years have been developing their all-inclusive pattern of masquerade bands and in the process, destroying the small vendors on the road as they were not making the kind of profit they made before the advent of the all-inclusive bands.
In effect, you are saying the small vendors have been taking a financial beating over the years while the bandleaders smile all the way to the bank?
Yes. Why shouldn’t they feel the pinch like the vendors, especially when their profits are being affected by an act of God?
Even though you are not in favour, do you think the Government would compensate them simply because they want taxpayers’ money “freeco style”?
At the end of the day, I cannot answer for the Government and as I said, that is my personal opinion. I don’t want to go anymore into it as I believe strongly about people being responsible for their actions.
Minister Khan, do you think that there is perhaps an unnecessary degree of panic in T&T judging from the comments of certain people like the Duke of Abercromby?
Who is that?
Watson Duke, the president of the PSA, headquartered on Abercromby Street, who is asking for millions of dollars for employees in the public health sector should they have to work with Ebola patients.
Oh, you mean that fellow? He wants money and other things…And as far as I know, Ebola has not even reached here as yet…which is not to say we think it is coming for certain. That is unfair. I don’t like that kind of demand, asking for millions of dollars. While we are trying to protect workers and every other citizen, it is very disheartening to see somebody demanding tons of taxpayers’ money upfront. That is heartless, if I could call it by its correct name.
The proper thing to do is to hold discussions with the Government or whoever else, but you don’t wake up one morning and pick up the newspaper only to read where somebody catching some kind of “vaps,” making unconscionable demands on the public purse. You don’t try to dig out people eyes for your own interest, based on fear worldwide.
Only selfish and greedy people do that...
Yes. And we have to be more patriotic to the cause of saving our population because if this thing is left unchecked, it may have serious effects where mankind is concerned. If you give every worker $10 million, you are squeezing the Government.
It is sad to know that somebody will take this international disaster and try to capitalise on it.
But aren’t the doctors making similar noises like the Duke of Abercromby?
If doctors make that kind of representation, they try to make it for different heads of departments. I will not consider it, I know that doctors should know better. They will get compensation but not ridiculous compensation.
Dr Khan, how far has the Government reached in preparing for any onslaught or arrival of the Ebola scourge?
We are prepared to a minimal extent, and we are aiming for maximum preparedness based on international assistance and education, so that is a process which will continue. In Texas they thought they were prepared, but we learnt from their mistakes. Also, we have been learning from international people. Percentage-wise, one does not look at that you have to be prepared when something comes.
Mr Minister, international experts and our own experts have said that Ebola is not airborne yet; there is also a considerable body of opinion claiming it is transmitted in that manner. What’s your reaction?
We are learning about the Ebola virus every day. The most recent hypothesis says that it could be possibly airborne; however that has not yet been conclusively confirmed or ascertained. Cabinet has appointed a group called the Ebola Prevention and Response Team, and the Ministry of Health also has an Ebola management team. Together they will come up with whatever is necessary to face this challenge head-on.
Like US President Obama has done, is T&T looking to appoint an Ebola czar?
I won’t call it an Ebola czar. Right now, I am in charge of leading this initiative, but we have Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr Colin Furlonge as my person in charge. In other words, different name.
Finally, Dr Khan, is there any reason why citizens should be unduly alarmed over the Ebola virus on our shores?
What I would say is just hope that it never comes to our shores and if it does, we have to be able to contain it, manage it and destroy it.