The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), Kebba Sanneh has reacted to the claims that the Minister of Health, Dr. Ahmed Samateh is receiving double salaries in his capacity as Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the main referral hospital in addition to his ministerial earning.
Reports have emerged from a section of the hospital with such claims, but the spokesperson labelled it a ‘disparaging report’ meant to taint the image of the minister.
“The disparaging reports written against this honorable man on Freedom Newspaper and everywhere, you foolish journalists are trying to put wrong information across this nation confusing people. Now, I am trying to tell you that the story you want to verify is a false story. Dr. Ahmed Lamin Samateh is not receiving two salaries as the Minister of Health and as the CMD,” he responded to The Chronicle’s inquiry.
He added: “You see the current Minister of Health is an overseer, an overseer takes care of the position without necessarily occupying that position. Now I am going to debunk some of the false news trending over the social media and some of the online newspapers because Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh is one of the most honest public officers this nation has”.
Sanneh stated that the dual roles played by the minister will not have any negative bearing on the day to day running of the hospital. He accused what he called ‘petty doctors from Cuba’ of peddling false statements.
“These petty doctors who came from Cuba and other places are the ones calling you and giving you wrong information. They have no qualifications whatsoever to occupy such a position of the Chief Medical Director of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, now if you know one of them who can handle the position tell me?” he rhetorically asked.
Describing it as ‘foolish media reports’ with no responsibility, he accused some media houses of tarnishing the image of innocent people.
“You know why I am very disgusted with what is being reported on some of these foolish media? Because you are not responsible, you don’t investigate, you tarnish the image of innocent people. I am angry. I am very angry because I am coming from that meeting now,” Sanneh angrily hung-off his phone.
