GPHC CEO fired with immediate effect; Brigadier Lewis to act as new CEO

Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Mr. Allan Johnson has been removed  from his position with effect from tomorrow (Friday, June 9, 2017).

The decision was announced by Chair of the GPHC Board of Directors, Kesaundra Alves who noted that the board unanimously decided to remove Johnson following a series of lapses which included the embarrassment of the Corporation before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on May 29.

Johnson and Finance Director, Ronald Charles were on May 29 questioned by the PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali and member Juan Edghill on the non-submission of financial statements for 2015 and 2016, the non-refund of monies to Consolidated Fund among other areas.

The officials indicated that they were not in a position to answer the questions. In one instance, the GPHC CEO admitted that after more than one year, no disciplinary actions were taken against those responsible. In another instance, Charles told the Committee that “I am not the Finance Director, per say.”

In a letter to Johnson, Chairman Alves noted that “The incident before PAC has embarrassed the Board and staff of this Corporation and, to our dismay, has caused the public to question the desire of the Board for transparency and accountability in the handling of the Corporation’s money.”

The Board said it has had cause to question Johnson’s judgment on a number of occasions.

The letter also noted that the former CEO is consistently unavailable to supply the Board with pertinent information or to take instructions from the Board as he is either absent or request early release from Board and Board Committee meetings.

The Ministry of Public Health seconded Johnson from the New Amsterdam Hospital in 2015 to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to act as its CEO.

Brigadier (retired) George Lewis who was recently appointed the Deputy Chief Executive Officer [DCEO]  of the GPHC will act at its CEO.

On June 01, the GPHC announced the appointment of Lewis to the position.

Brigadier Lewis, according to the statement, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Guyana in Public Management and a Master of Science Degree from the Central Michigan University in Human Resources Management. Additionally, he possesses qualifications in Project Management and Conflict Resolution.