The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby has demonstrated that he is the political head of the Ministry by rescinding postings of Medical Doctors done without his approval.
According to reliable sources, before leaving for New York as part of the President’s official delegation to the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), Dr. Demby did advice his two deputies and the Chief Medical Officer not to proceed with plans to effect postings of Medical Doctors until he returns from his trip to the United States of America.
During his absence, reports indicate that the two Deputy Ministers and the Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation proceeded with the postings without making reference to the Minister.
When he returned from his overseas trip and discovered that the postings had been done without his approval, the Minister ordered his loyal and experienced Permanent Secretary, Morie Momoh to write and rescind the postings in respect of Medical Doctors in health facilities across the country.
In a letter dated 13th October 2021, Mr. Morie Momoh wrote, “I write under instructions of the Hon. Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby, to refer to the above (Rescinding of Postings in respect of Medical Doctors in Health Facilities), and to inform all Doctors (Medical Superintendents, District Medical Officers, Directors and Program Managers) that the recent postings dated 5th October 2021 released by the Chief Medical Officer has been rescinded”.
In an angry reaction, the Minister has also reportedly influenced the decision to ask the Chief Medical Officer, Rev. Canon Dr. Thomas T. Samba to proceed on terminal leave.
A letter from the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) dated 15th October, 2021 was very brief and to the point. It reads, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that you are to proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect in any case not later than Tuesday, 19th October, 2021”.
It would be recalled that when Dr. Alpha Wurie served as Minister of Health and Sanitation, he never allowed any of his two deputies to act as Minister whenever he travelled out of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Austin Demby is likely to adopt that position following the way he was treated by his two deputies when he asked one of them (Deputy Minister 1) to act as Minister during his official trip to the US.
Dr. Demby’s determination to bring in some of his long-time friends from the US to occupy senior-level positions in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is facing stiff resistance from especially his two deputies.
Investigations continue.
