By ISAAC NICHOLAS
HEALTH Minister Michael Malabag has confirmed the suspension of the Kimbe General Hospital chief executive officer, Dr Victor Golpak.
Mr Malabag said on Thursday that he had signed the suspension notice of Dr Golpak on January 7, 2013, using his powers as Minister, as there was no Hospital Board.
“As far as I am concerned, he is suspended, and as such, he is refrained from making any decisions on behalf of the hospital, including taking action against staff,” Mr Malabag said.
He said he has directed the acting Health Secretary to immediately fly over to Kimbe to personally deliver the suspension notice that the suspended CEO had claimed he had not received.
The Minister was responding to a Post-Courier report yesterday wherein Dr Golpak stated that he had not received any suspension notice and that the Minister does not have powers to suspend him as stipulated in his contract.
It was reported that the Working Committee spokesperson, Sister Agatha Buku, who led the group to initially petition the Minister calling for an investigation into allegations leveled against Dr Golpak, had been terminated by the CEO over the weekend.
Mr Malabag said the suspended Kimbe Hospital CEO must refrain from making decisions for the hospital, including taking action against staff members.
“As far as I am concerned Dr Golpak is suspended and any decisions he has made since January 7, 2013 is illegal,” he said.
The Health Minister said he sent an investigation team to Kimbe at the end of last year, amid allegations of mismanagement and mal-administration.
“Based on the preliminary report and since the term of the Hospital Board has expired, I used my powers as Minister to suspend him as of January 7, 2013.”
He said that the suspension notice had not been delivered and has directed the acting Secretary to immediately travel to Kimbe to deliver the suspension notice.
Mr Malabag said he would also send a full investigation team to investigate allegations leveled against the CEO.
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