Christie ‘not going to be forced into decision by a gynaecologist’

Former Prime Minister Perry Christie.

As of Thursday, September 29, 2016

Dr Hubert Minnis

By SANCHESKA DORSETT

Tribune Staff Reporter

sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday there is “no way” he is going to let an “obstetrician/gynaecologist politician” force him to make a decision that is “not in the best interest of the people”.

Mr Christie was referring to Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis who told reporters on Sunday that now is not the time for the government to begin renovations on the Maternity Ward. Dr Minnis has said the planned upgrades could create problems given the large number of births that occur around this time of year.

Speaking at a contract signing ceremony for renovations to the Maternity and Male Surgical Wards, Mr Christie said the Maternity Ward has not been renovated for over 50 years and women should not be forced to give birth in “undesirable” circumstances because previous governments did not have the will or the finances to upgrade the facility.

He urged doctors at the contract signing to tell Dr Minnis it’s time to get on board with the improvements.

“No way would I let an obstetrician/gynaecologist politician use me to make this political,” Mr Christie said.

“I want you to tell him, when you graduated and came to the hospital the state you met the Maternity Ward in. This hospital was built in the ‘50s and much hasn’t changed since then. Tell him the problems we are trying to address. Tell him that it will cost a lot of money to do so and tell him for me that the prime minister said even though we are introducing National Health Insurance, my government has made the decision that it will use money from the Consolidated Fund to improve the Princess Margaret Hospital before people are charged rates under NHI. He needs to appreciate that people need better facilitates and better care.”

This is the second time this week that the prime minister has criticised Dr Minnis about his comments on the planned upgrades.

On Tuesday, Dr Minnis suggested that Mr Christie “check his facts” before making “untrue, reckless comments” about the Killarney MP’s tenure as minister of health.

In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Minnis denied leaving the Maternity Ward at PMH in a bad state and questioned why the prime minister waited four and half years to fix the ward, if Mr Christie thought it was “so terrible”.

In fact, Dr Minnis said the only reason the prime minister is renovating the hospital now, is because “elections are right around the corner.”

His comments came one day after Mr Christie said that when the PLP won the election in 2012, and when Dr Minnis demitted office as minister of health, the latter left the Maternity Ward “in a state not fit for women to go and have babies.”

He also said that one of the operating theatres was “so bad” it was only used in an emergency.

Publius 7 years, 6 months ago

Dr Minnis has said the planned upgrades could create problems given the large number of births that occur around this time of year.

When is there ever a good time then? Did not know babies were seasonal.

On Tuesday, Dr Minnis suggested that Mr Christie “check his facts” before making “untrue, reckless comments” about the Killarney MP’s tenure as minister of health.

I do not think Minnis wants the details of that tenure to come to light. He should remain content that the wider public does not know what it had the right to know about the things that took place under his tenure, both by his hand and by his refusal to act.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

We, Bahamians, should not be forced to endure a third-rate lawyer like Christie as PM

theplpsucks 7 years, 6 months ago

Election coming they have to appear as if they are doing something and contracts have to be awarded

ohdrap4 7 years, 6 months ago

let the gynecologists do what they are good at: Solve crime.

Hotelier 7 years, 6 months ago

Babies are indeed seasonal Concieved at Christmas born in September

Publius 7 years, 6 months ago

Silly me, I was not aware that babies and avocados had so much in common.

Emac 7 years, 6 months ago

lmao!!!

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

A gynie has 14 years of training .......... a lawyer 3-5 years ........... a policeman 6 months............. take your pick on who is more qualified

avidreader 7 years, 6 months ago

Please do not confuse training with education. They are very different. A person can be well trained in their chosen discipline and still know little about the wider world in terms of history, geography, economics, international relations, etc. A capable leader of a country must either know a great deal personally or have trusted advisers who can propose policy options. This latter scenario can lead to the exertion of undue influence by an adviser who is either unscrupulous or has a hidden agenda. Read history.

ohdrap4 7 years, 6 months ago

or, read the tribune.

sheeprunner12 7 years, 6 months ago

Soooooooo, which one (education/advice) applies to our Prime Ministers dumbness or ineffectiveness???????

thephoenix562 7 years, 6 months ago

Tell him that it will cost a lot of money to do so and tell him for me that the prime minister said even though we are introducing National Health Insurance, my government has made the decision that it will use money from the Consolidated Fund to improve the Princess Margaret Hospital before people are charged rates under NHI.

For those of you who still believe NHI will be freee.