There is a possibility that former chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA), Ameena Ali, could be reinstalled as head of the institution.
These were the sentiments expressed yesterday by Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan after he was asked to provide an update of the situation at the Sangre Grande District Hospital.
One month ago, president of the Public Services Association (PSA) Watson Duke filed criminal charges against Khan, at the Sangre Grande Magistrates Court, in the wake of industrial action by healthcare workers at the hospital.
In the matter filed on February 13, Duke claimed that Khan had been given until February 12 to provide documents such as fire certificates and inspection reports for the building the hospital staff were occupying.
Duke claimed the ERHA was in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act by forcing workers to operate in deplorable conditions at the hospital, and that a failure to furnish the union with the relevant documents had led to the court action.
Asked to provide an update on the matter yesterday, Khan said, "I have to wait. I have asked the chairman to look for the fire certificate, and to find out what the problem is and if we can get one."
Pressed to say if the fire certificate and other documents were in order, if this could clear the way for Ali to return, Khan replied, "If there is nothing wrong and we are able to get the fire certificate there is the possibility of that."
Faced with questions about the conflict between Ali and the staff, which had led in large part to the workers refusing to work, Khan said, "I am not in court for the workers’ relationship."
For over a week, workers had signed the duty register but refused to operate and remained under a tent in the car park as they demanded the removal of Ali, whose style of management, they claimed, was harsh and oppressive.
Ali tendered her resignation on February 14, following which Duke called on workers to resume operations as normal.