BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEDICAL CHIEF OF STAFF Dr. Cameron Wilkin has been appointed acting Chief Medical Officer, filling the office which was left vacant after Dr. Patrick Martin was sent on extensive pre-retirement leave.
Earlier yesterday afternoon (Jun. 29), Dr. Wilkinson made an address to the nation via state-owned media ZIZ Radio, during which he informed of his new position.
And it was confirmed by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy S. Harris during his monthly press conference held yesterday at the Parliamentary Lounge, Government Headquarters.
Dr. Martin, who is a number of years past the age of retirement, was sent on leave weeks ago because, as he believes, he intervened in a stem cell therapy project that was taking place at the Joseph N. France General Hospital.
Neither Dr. Wilkinson nor Dr. Harris indicated at what date was he – Dr. Wilkinson – appointed acting CMO. However, he was praised by Dr. Harris for his willingness to serve the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Martin’s leave ends on November 17, 2017 and according to Prime Minister Harris, a CMO had been identified from abroad and would be occupying the office “in due time”.
One day after Dr. Martin was sent on leave, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Andrew Skerritt was also sent on leave and Dr. Harris claimed that there were communication issues or difficulties that existed between both men.
Dr. Harris informed that on conclusion of his leave, Skerritt would be transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister.
“Mr. Andrew Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, is on leave and when that leave is ended he will be transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister to address initiatives relating to my lead responsibility in CARICOM quasi-cabinet for Health, HIV and Human Resources. That is where he will be.
“Mr. Skerritt’s background as a health planner and experience as the Permanent Secretary in Health makes him an ideal candidate to liaise with the international community with regard to these issues, Health/HIV in particular, liaising with PAHO, with PANCAP, whoever else. He will not be in conflict with anybody over at Health.”
To be left vacant by Skerritt, the office of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health will be filled by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ionie Liburd-Willett.
Dr. Harris informed the nation that with regard to filling the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, etc, Education Minister the Hon. Shawn K. Richards “has already tapped into one of our accomplished educators residing abroad to come home to serve as the Permanent Secretary”.
