Accounts Clerk Charged Following Investigation into Unauthorized Transactions at Southern Regional Hospital

Last week we reported to you that an accounts clerk from the Southern Regional Hospital had been detained by police over some questionable transaction with public funds; today Minister of Health Kevin Bernard confirmed that the clerk has been charged. Initially, three employees, including the regional manager, were detained regarding unauthorized spending from the hospital accounts, but two were later cleared of any suspicion. Minister Bernard says that he could not divulge any details on the matter due to the ongoing court proceedings, but he is satisfied with the internal investigation that led to the employee being charged.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “Let me point out on that matter in the Dangriga situation in Southern Regional. There were an allegation that was made. In fact, I can tell you, when I got the report I got the call, we started the investigation. I asked the CEO to look into the matter and we found that there were some improprieties done at the Southern Region Hospital. However, I cannot speak to the issue because it’s going to be in the court. And so I don’t want to divulge anything at this point in time that will affect us in terms of this case. did our investigation, it’s a matter now in the hands of the police who will take the matter to the court and from there then we can provide a better response.”

We note that this is not the first time there have been improprieties with the accounts of the Southern Regional Hospital. Our archives show that back in 2014, an investigation was carried out after as much as three hundred and fifty thousand dollars was unaccounted for.