Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on Monday revealed the names of the new Board of Directors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), including health and law consultant and advocate, Kesaundra Alves, who was appointed as Chairperson.
Minister Lawrence said that Cabinet gave its approval for the Board Members to be selected, which was done after lengthy deliberation.
New Chairperson of the Board Directors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Kesaundra Alves
Alves, who holds a Master of Law Degree, was approved as head of the new Board of Directors of the medical institution. She also specialises in health law, ethics and policy, along with interdisciplinary programmes including medicine, human rights, law and politics related to public health.
Dr Holly Alexander, who worked for several years within the public health sector and also holds a diploma in Public Management, Leprology, Education, and a Master’s in Public Health, was also appointed to the Board. Dr Alexander has spearheaded several aspects of public health in Guyana.
Dr Ivelaw Sinclair, who is attached to the Fort Wellington Hospital in Berbice, was also named a new Board Member. He is a medical doctor and also holds several other certificates in various aspects of health from Canadian and Chinese institutions.
Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, Collette Adams, sits on the Board and will continue to represent the Public Health Ministry.
Finance Ministry Budget Director Sonya Roopnauth will be representing that Ministry and has previously worked in the Public Health Ministry.
Cleopatra Barkoye, who is presently a lecturer, will be on the Board to represent the Nursing Council. She holds a Master’s in Nursing Education, among several other certification.
The final appointee, Kempton Alexander, will be representing the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and is a registered nurse.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Allan Johnson, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud continue in their position.
The GPHC, since November last, has been operating without a Board as the previous Public Health Minister, Dr George Norton had allegedly dissolved the Board because of a reportedly strained relationship with the former Chairman, Dr Carl “Max” Hanoman.
