Head of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Griffin Benjamin, has been placed on leave
The Ministry of Health’s attempt to “clarify” media reports on the removal of Dr. Griffin Benjamin, Head of the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, has only managed to create more confusion.
Antigua.news was the first to report yesterday, Tuesday, that Dr Griffin Benjamin was placed on administrative by the minister, following a dispute with his management team, over the admision of an AUA student.
In a statement issued this morning, the Ministry said it “must be explicitly stated” that Health Minister Molwyn Joseph does not have the authority to place any officer or employee on administrative leave. The claim, while technically correct, misses the point entirely.
Antigua.news never disputed the role of the Public Service. What was reported — and what remains fact — is that Dr. Benjamin was placed on administrative leave with pay. The letter, signed by the Permanent Secretary and copied to Minister Joseph, proves it.
The Ministry’s response, curiously, avoided confirming or denying the central issue: whether Dr. Benjamin was in fact placed on leave. Instead, it attempted to nitpick wording and demand a retraction, even though the substance of the story remains unshaken.
In doing so, the Ministry has managed to make itself look evasive. And how could such a major decision be made without his knowledge or approval? To suggest otherwise insults the intelligence of the public.
What is baffling is the Ministry’s insistence on shifting attention to technicalities rather than providing straight answers. If transparency and accountability — as it so proudly declared — are truly priorities, then why dodge the simplest of questions?
Antigua.news stands firmly by its reporting. The facts speak for themselves. It is the Ministry, not the media, that owes the public clarity.
That last line. Antigua.news and thekt bad self!!!
Molwyn better behave before Dr Benjamin declare him unfit for public office. lol Aye. It is never a dull day on this media platform. Mind Gaston don’t shit you people down.
he people are tired of this back-and-forth. We deserve transparency. Was Dr. Benjamin sent on leave or not? It’s a yes or no question
he people are tired of this back-and-forth. We deserve transparency. Was Dr. Benjamin sent on leave or not? It’s a yes or no question
Remaining quiet would have been better than writting press release dear ministry of health. Remember these media people have no face. You just made this worse. Look at the ant next you created now. You send the man on leave ….leave the man alone
It’s called deflection. Just let Molwyn be. Every dog has its day
This is political theatre, plain and simple. Using letters and bureaucracy to shield decisions only makes him look guilty of mismanagemen
“Less than a year after his appointment as head of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Griffin Benjamin has been placed on administrative leave by the Minister of Health, Molwyn Joseph.” : your own opening line.
I hold no brief for Molwyn Josrph, ALP or the Ministry of Health. But you did say he took the action. P.S. wrote the letter. cc’ed him. You should know that a cc is only for the information of the cc’ed person.
The Minister in his capacity of policy director has no authority to comment on or confirm the action of the PS.
Your editorial staff should know these simple administrative procedures. You need to retract your first line. It is not factual.
You news room has bungled. See my comment on your first article.
You editorial staff has bungled
My own comment, penned as Former Civil Servant:
“The Minister may not have legal right to a report on a patient. Did the Minister sign the contract of the Dr.? Can he legally put him on administrative leave? Generally, a Minister has neither technical or administrative responsibility in technical units like Clarevue. The Government has investigation procedures and protocols. These likely don’t involve the Minister/Politician.”:
AntiguaNews. note my questions. Had you written within this framework you would not have elicited the above response by Ministry of Health.
“Less than a year after his appointment as head of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Griffin Benjamin has been placed on administrative leave by the Minister of Health, Molwyn Joseph.”
The first line of your report. I hold no brief for Molwyn Joseph or ALP, but there is no bungling in this response. The Minister states what I know to be true, a Ministers role is neither technical, nor administrative, it is policy direction. Putting someone on administrative leave is an action, not a policy statement.
Ministry of Health may be a mess, but don’t this matter into what it is not
Retired Civil Servant ….Retire in peace. As if you dont know how the ting go. I was in the public service too and nothing happens without the ministers approval. All the technicalities and hogwash dont matter. Antiguans not foolie.
Wait. But but but…why we bickering about who sent the man on leave? The story is whether he is on leave or not. Listen. When Molwyn don’t like someone he will make sure he gets rid of them. He will search for things that’s not there. How can you send the man on leave and give police to drop off the man letter at his home? Now trying to find out if he brought in pharmaceuticals illegally? Scanning through his arrival stubs and customs declaration forms at airport? On a fishing expedition. Just fire the man if you dont like him. Pay him and let him go. Find real work to do. The hospital rooms are breaking down they need repair. Wicked
So the Ministry thinks people stupid? You can’t deny the man is on leave when the letter is there in black and white.
Antigua.news giving facts, Ministry giving confusion. Who you think we going to believe?
This ministry full a joke. Every explanation worse than the last.Always same story… talk, talk, talk but no accountability. Stop treating the public like fool. We demand the truth!
Sounds like classic political maneuvering. They want to hide behind technicalities while pretending the Minister had no say. Who are they fooling