Health Minister Explains why KHMHA Board Chairman was Removed

Three prospective candidates have been identified as a replacement for Dr. Andre Sosa who was removed from his post as the Chairman of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority last week Friday. As we’ve reported, Minister Bernard wrote to board members advising them of his decision to replace Dr Sosa. In his email, Minister Bernard also stated that board member Arun Hotchandani has been appointed as interim chairman up until February 28 in order to identify the new Chairman of the Board. Minister Kevin Bernard explained to Love News late this evening that his decision is not rooted in any personal matter but in moving the KHMH forward. 

Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: ” The change is not a matter of any personal matter. It’s not a matter of any issue with the unions but it’s a matter of us refocusing the KHMH and I felt that as – and I will publicly acknowledge the work that Dr.Sosa has done. I know he meant well for the institution but I think that KHMH has reached a point where we need no to look at it’s financial viability and in order for us to do that we have to change course and that’s the reason why I said it was a tough decision for me as the minister who appoints the chairman of the board to be able to move this institution forward we really need to have somebody there has has the ability to ensure that KHMH can move in a more financially viable footing. I will repeat that more than one time but I acknowledge the work Dr.Sosa did. He had great intentions. I will not deny that, he has the medical background but it also requires somebody in the financial background. If you would look at the act it tells you clearly what and how the appointment is managed and so while I know KHMH has been going through its situations it’s been a long thought out decision, it’s been coming a long time and so I had to make that decision and I felt that in speaking to Dr.Sosa privately I had made him know that it’s a tough decision for me but it has to be done, we have to move on and I thanked him personally for the work he has done.”

 Minister Bernard says that the goal is to ensure improvements to the operations of the KHMA. He says that while Dr Sosa had great ideas, the KHMH needs to move forward more efficiently and effectively. 

Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: ” The change is not a matter of any personal matter. It’s not a matter of any issue with the unions but it’s a matter of us refocusing the KHMH and I felt that as – and I will publicly acknowledge the work that Dr.Sosa has done. I know he meant well for the institution but I think that KHMH has reached a point where we need no to look at it’s financial viability and in order for us to do that we have to change course and that’s the reason why I said it was a tough decision for me as the minister who appoints the chairman of the board to be able to move this institution forward we really need to have somebody there has has the ability to ensure that KHMH can move in a more financially viable footing. I will repeat that more than one time but I acknowledge the work Dr.Sosa did. He had great intentions. I will not deny that, he has the medical background but it also requires somebody in the financial background. If you would look at the act it tells you clearly what and how the appointment is managed and so while I know KHMH has been going through its situations it’s been a long thought out decision, it’s been coming a long time and so I had to make that decision and I felt that in speaking to Dr.Sosa privately I had made him know that it’s a tough decision for me but it has to be done, we have to move on and I thanked him personally for the work he has done.”

According to Bernard, the next chairperson will be tasked with appropriately addressing internal issues. 

Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “Because of this change we’re able to then going to appoint somebody that has the necessary experience to fast tract the process that will be able to move KHMH in the direction that we want to see it but at the same time I have challenged management, at the same time I have asked the union to let us work together because a lot of the issues that have been raised are internal problems, internal issues that may have gone unresolved for too long not only under this administration it has built up for years some of them said ten-fifteen years. As the minister responsible for this institution for the Ministry of Health I’m committed to make sure that we can fix KHMH and if it requires us to make change then this is what we’re doing.”