CAY HILL:--- Workers from all sectors of the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) held protest action on Wednesday against the hiring of the new General Director Gersji Pereira. The protest started off with the workers holding a lengthy meeting while some of the workers held up placards protesting the hiring of Pereira who left the Netherlands because of alleged corruption and incompetence at Ijselmeerziekenhuizen. SMN News reported last week that the Minster of Health and Labour had dispatched a letter to the chairman of the supervisory board expressing concerns when he learnt of some of the allegations against Gersji Pereira. The four members of the supervisory board hired Pereira despite concerns raised by one of the board members and the specialists of SMMC.
Over 100 staff members of SMMC participated in the protest action held on Wednesday, while a small number of medical workers remained at their posts to ensure that the patients received minimum care. Most of the protesting workers marched through the hospital holding placards and chanting "No Pereira". The workers even tried to seek an audience with the administrative staff but none of those working in the offices on the upper floor opened their doors to let the workers inside.
The workers of the St. Maarten Medical Center received full support from the Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever and the health care union. SMMC management team and specialists expressed concerns over the hiring of Pereria who was accused of bankrupting the Ijselmeerziekenhuizen in the Netherlands in 2008. That medical institution had a deficit of seven million Euros while the institution was placed under intensified supervision by the Inspectorate of Health when they conducted an inspection and found that the operating rooms were not in optimal condition.
Pereira was supposed to take up his position on Wednesday but the health care union (WIHCUA) said they were not going to support neither endorse the hiring of Pereira. One of the placards read "SMMC is about democracy and the Supervisory Board does not have the word. It's not what the Supervisory Board wants but it's what SMMC needs, the three pillars, safety, health, and satisfaction is what we preach."
WICSU/PSU President Derie Leonard and former President William Reed also showed up at SMMC to show their support to SMMC workers.
Prior to the hold out on Wednesday the union and its workers met inside the cafeteria of the hospital. During that meeting, the workers expressed themselves on the ongoing situation at SMMC and the appointment of Pereira. "We believe that SMMC just came out of a controversial situation with the former director Dr. George Scot and therefore the Supervisory board should seek to hire someone with a clean and spotless background. Some medical specialists and members of the SMMC management team were also seen at the meeting that was held prior to the protest.
Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever showed up to the meeting where he addressed the workers. Minister de Weever said he would support the union and he would also provide them with a copy of the letter he sent to the supervisory board on the appointment of Gersji Pereira.
The Minister of Health said that the local market should be checked for a good candidate and if the workers walk he would walk with them in their fight. He clearly indicated that he will back them all the way.
WIHCUA said that the Supervisory Board of SMMC wants to force their decision to appoint Pereira down their throats despite the fact that the Minister of Health, the workers, the union, the specialists and the management team all expressed concerns over the hiring of Gersji Pereira. "Even if Pereira is qualified, his track record does not make him a good candidate. We also believe that the Supervisory Board needs to step down if they continue to disregard the sentiments of the workers and others in the medical field."
Medical Specialist Association pledge full support to Union and Minister of Health --- Letter was sent to Chairman of Supervisory Board.
7/30/2013
Mr. Izzy Gerstenbluth
Chairman- Supervisory Board of SMMC
Re- appointment of medical director
Mr. Gerstenbluth
We, the specialists at the St.Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) have been paying keen attention to the recent developments with the appointment of Dr. Pereira as the medical director by the Supervisory Board of the SMMC.
After careful review and analysis, we have determined that we stand with the union with the objection of this appointment.
Over the last couple months, we were looking forward to new people with new ideas coming to the hospital to fill the necessary void in management after the departure of Dr. Scot. We were hoping that those appointments would continue to move the medical center in the right direction. Where quality patient care is not only the goal- but also the norm. The nurses and specialists are equally willing to make that sacrifice and continue to do so. However, it seems like the Supervisory Board neither cares or is aware of the current needs of the hospital.
In that regard we will not support your most recent decision. We as specialists will stand together and if that appointment is made- regardless of our objections- we will take further actions to ensure that the management of the SMMC is a reflection of not only the workers at the hospital- but the people that we serve.
In the end- we demand a fresh start with the right people in management- we want to let the past few years go and give the people of St.Maarten what they deserve- a hospital that they can be proud of. However, that will not take place if we keep making the same mistakes. Having said that we implore the Supervisory Board to re-assess their decision in a timely fashion- before more stringent actions are taken.
Sincerely,
Randall Friday M.D.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Chairman – Medical Specialists Association.
