PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspector General of VSA Dr. Earl Best representing the Inspectorate filed a court case (appeal) against the Minister of VSA Emil Lee for issuing an instruction against the Inspectorate (gag order) due to information the Inspectorate released to SMN News.
The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm but it disappeared off the docket after the Minister withdrew his gag order (instruction).
SMN News asked Minister Lee about the court case that was filed against him and he said that the case regards patients/people’s privacy which the inspectorate chose to release to SMN News. He also stated that the Inspectorate appealed the instruction because they claimed they were not heard before the instruction was issued. He said he is now in the process of hearing the inspectorate and will decide how to proceed in the matter.
It should be noted that last week Wednesday SMN News asked the Minister about the gag order issued by SMMC to the staff of the hospital whereby the staff was instructed not to speak to the inspectors of the inspectorate. SMN News also asked Minister Lee if any other gag orders were issued and he said then that he was not aware of the one SMMC issued neither any other gag orders. It is clear that Minister Lee lied last week when he was questioned by SMN News reporter because he himself issued a gag order to the Inspectorate which landed him in court and he pulling back his MB (instruction). While Minister Lee is preaching about integrity and transparency his cabinet is in breach of integrity since they leaked an advice that was meant for the Inspectorate to SMMC and to SZV. Not only the Minister lied to SMN News but he also lied to the Parliament of St. Maarten when he was asked why SMMC is refusing to cooperate with the operational audit, and if the institution has that right? In that meeting, Minister Lee said the Inspectorate is free to investigate and conduct investigations and since the department is a separate entity he does not interfere, nowhere did Minister Lee told the Members of Parliament that he issued a gag order and that the inspectorate had filed an appeal against his decision. SMN News also learned that the Inspector General Dr. Earl Best has filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against Minister Lee for breach of integrity and gross interference which is hindering the Inspectorate from conducting their duties. However, this could not be confirmed.
As for the audit, Minister Lee called for on February 8th, he said that the St. Maarten Medical Center and the inspectorate have been in discussions and that he does not know how far the discussions are and as such he does not have a date that is set for the audit.
The Minister went on to say the hired a consultant that will arrive on St. Maarten on April 16th and his duty is to conduct an assessment “baseline study” within the Ministry including SMMC. It should be noted that several persons rushed to SMN News complaining about cases of alleged malpractice at SMMC and how much they suffered for the lack proper treatment or incompetent specialists that hamper their lives causing them more pain and suffering while being a patient at SMMC.
Asked if he is aware that water testing was done at SMMC and it turned out that legionella disease in found in water at SMMC. Minister Lee said he is not aware of any water testing done at SMMC and he also did not get any information as to legionella being in the water.
