Region 5 drug overdose fiasco
The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Dr Steven Cheefoon for his alleged part in covering up for A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Councillor Carol Joseph.
Cheefoon has also been accused of having a direct hand in the immediate transfer of Nurse Sherylyn Marks from the Fort Wellington Hospital to the Bath Settlement Health Centre also in Region Five.
PPP Executive Member Collin Croal on Monday said that justice must be served to Nurse Marks, who spoke out against the corruption.
“We would like to recommend disciplinary action, both at the administrative level and because, from all information, the RHO was directly involved, following the refusal of Nurse Marks to act. We are also calling for the rescinding of the unjustified transfer of Nurse Sherylyn Marks,” Croal told reporters.
Marks, a nurse attached to the West Coast Berbice hospital, was transferred with immediate effect last week after she made complaints against the APNU/AFC Councillor, who had been going to the Hospital for an excessive daily dose of the painkiller pethidine. The nurse said she was targeted by the regional administration.
Nurse Marks, who filed complaints twice last year, said she refused to administer the 100 ml dose to Joseph, who would turn up daily to receive it. She said she received a letter of transfer from Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison, after he scolded her for going to the media with her complaints.
Some two days later, Joseph reportedly resigned from her post and the party. (Alexis Rodney)
