Dr Delon Brennen
By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
ts-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen has denied social media claims that he submitted a notice of intention to resign.
Speaking briefly with The Tribune yesterday, a tight-lipped Dr Brennen said he was busy working.
A post was circulated on Wednesday night on social media by a local website operator, alleging Dr Brennen had given notice of his resignation due to concerns about the handling of the pandemic.
When The Tribune contacted Dr Brennen yesterday, he only said: “Unfortunately, I am a bit busy. But I have not submitted ‘notice of intention to resign’…I think that’s what it (the social media post) said.”
Dr Brennen is a part of the country’s COVID-19 Task Force which has, since formed, seen the departure of former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands and task force coordinator, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis.
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis served as interim minister of health after he accepted Dr Sands’ resignation in May. Former Minister of Transport Renward Wells was appointed to the health post recently, taking over from Dr Minnis.
This comes as COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to climb. More than 1,500 cases have been reported up to press time, the bulk of which were confirmed after the country reopened its borders to international travel on July 1.
Recently, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme, Dr Nikkiah Forbes admitted to a serious backlog of national tests being in the system. She also said health professionals are looking at data to differentiate between the backlog and new COVID cases.
On Monday Dr Minnis said he was acting on advice from health officials when he placed New Providence on an immediate seven day lockdown, closing nearly all commercial activity. He reversed the decision less than 24 hours later, he said, due to threat of an impending storm and concerns that residents and business were not prepared for a week-long shutdown.
Comments
trueBahamian 4 years, 3 months ago
Mmmm...did the Tribune check for details from people familiar with Dr. Brennen. It could be fake information on social media as well as there could be an issue.
Let's think for a moment, the PM appoints Mr. Wells as Mijister of Health. I can't say that this could be at the heart of why someone like Dr. Brennen may quit, but let us think for a moment the impact of putting someone in charge who may not know the field. If that person wants to make decisions and don't understand and don't listen, you have a serious problem. I can't say that is what's going on, but it's possible. I hope the Tribune one day can start getting into the business of journalism.
moncurcool 4 years, 3 months ago
Why should the Tribune have to check with people familiar with Dr. Brennen, when they spoke to Dr. Brennen himself? Amazing how we allow allegations on social media to become the word of the day, even over the mouth of the horse itself.
trueBahamian 4 years, 3 months ago
Sometimes the horse denies the truth. I'm just saying that the newspapers don't really engage in true journalism. It's most them recording what was said, no hard questions or investigate work. Basically fluff.
tetelestai 4 years, 3 months ago
You are close. The issue may be that Dr. Brennen was not appointed to the post of Chief Medical Officer, but was instead by-passed by his junior, and imho, the inferior Dr Pearl MacMillan. Classic FNM politics - but, yeah, only the PLP gives rewards to its supporters.
trueBahamian 4 years, 3 months ago
Ouch! That's tough to swallow. Seems like a good reason. These guys have to stop this nonsense. It's kind of like the marketing guy from BTC becoming the Financial Secretary. Not sure how it works, but someone thought it was brilliant.
TalRussell 4 years, 3 months ago
Reluctantly so, The Tribune is journalistically being forced into revealing the all they've long known about precisely how disheveled the 34 House-elected red coats MPs, and the politically appointed, have become. Notice there is no hint possessing even an ounce of confidence in The Man's was to be uttered by Comrade Dr, Delon? Nod Once for Yeah, Twice for No?
birdiestrachan 4 years, 3 months ago
All the best to the Doctor. It must be hard to work with PM Minnis who blames every one and everything but himself.
Did they really tell him to close down everything immediately? but Construction workers would be allowed to work.
under doc they are losing their credibility. After all, is said and done. that is all that will be left and it is all that counts
one should never compromise their integrity.
joeblow 4 years, 3 months ago
... that's quite rich from a supporter of a gravelicious bunch of PLP's who have no concept of what integrity means!
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