The original article can be found in: Trinidad Express By Anna Ramdass
Dr Carol Bhagan-Khan, wife of Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan, yesterday said she was never formally offered any top-paying job and if she is, she no longer wants it.
Speaking to the Express by phone, Bhagan-Khan criticised a Guardian headline, “Fuad’s wife gets top job”, saying it was misleading because the job of executive medical director of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) was not yet in the bag, even though she had a successful interview.
Bhagan-Khan also made it clear her husband did raise concerns about her going for the interview, but she opted to go through with it as she was qualified for the position and should not be barred from applying because of her relationship with the minister.
She disclosed further that the interviewing team did enquire about possible conflict of interest given the fact that she was the wife of the Health Minister, but it was noted by one interviewer that the executive medical director reports to the CEO and board, and not the minister.
Bhagan-Khan explained that an advertisement for the vacancy of the position was in the newspaper last year and she applied.She said she went to the interview last year, which was also very successful, but she was not selected for the post.
Bhagan-Khan said last Thursday she was called for an interview for the same position.
She stressed that even though she was told her presentation and interview were impressive, no formal proposals were made.
“I went through the process, but no offer had been made. I do not have any top-paying job,” she said.
Asked if she had informed her husband about the interview, Bhagan-Khan responded: “Yes, I did and he did raise concerns. I thought his concerns were legitimate in terms of perception—how was it going to look.”
Bhagan-Khan said this was a democratic country and she felt her qualifications and experience were the issue, and not her relationship.
Her marital ties to the minister, she said, were brought up at the interview.
She said she indicated this was not a problem because she would not have to report to him, but to the CEO and board.
“If there is indiscipline on my part, there in an industrial relations policy to deal with that,” she said, adding that the board has full authority to take action against her for any wrongdoing without going to the Minister.
Bhagan-Khan asked, “In a democratic country where there is a position which I am qualified for, why should I not apply for it?”
She said she had a lot to offer, having served in almost all areas of public health care.Bhagan-Khan, who is also an attorney, said her experience in health care and law, when combined, could have a positive impact on the smooth operation of the system and ensure fewer litigations by improving the documentation process.
Asked if she would accept the job if offered, Bhagan-Khan said it was not worth it anymore. “I don’t think I would at this stage, for several reasons. I may or may not encounter a lot more antagonism and also from the perception point of view—Dr Khan didn’t have anything to do with the hiring but that headline (Guardian) would give people the impression that he did, even though I followed the process,” she said.
“I think it is a pity, because my husband is the Minister of Health does not mean that I must not get a senior position when I am qualified. Is it the senior position that is the problem? That’s the question that really needs to be answered,” said Bhagan-Khan.
