PM to intervene in CRH renaming issue

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

MORE THAN a week after news of the renaming of the Cornwall Regional Hospital in honour of former Health Minister Dr Herbert Eldemire became the subject of public debate, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is expected to intervene to bring about a resolution.

A reliable Gleaner source indicated that Simpson Miller will be moving to have dialogue with Dr Denise Eldemire Shearer, daughter of Dr Herbert Eldemire.

The source informed The Gleaner that the prime minister was peeved about the actions of Montego Bay Mayor Glendon Harris.

The mayor reportedly commissioned the Civic and Community Affairs Committee of the St James Parish Council to carry out public consultations on the renaming of the institution.

Accepted recommendation

The health ministry had reportedly accepted a recommendation to rename the hospital after former Health Minister Dr Herbert Eldemire. Cabinet had subsequently given its stamp of approval to the name change.

According to a government insider, Simpson Miller would attempt to persuade Dr Eldemire Shearer to recant from the position taken by the family.

Dr Eldemire Shearer had indicated that she did not want her father's name to be associated with any politically divisive action.

Yesterday, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) called on Simpson Miller to break her silence on the renaming of the Cornwall Regional Hospital.

At a press conference at JLP headquarters, Belmont Road in Kingston, opposition spokesman on local government Desmond McKenzie said the silence of the Government on the issue was deafening.

McKenzie charged that the council had no authority over the renaming of the hospital.

The opposition spokesman argued that Harris, who was a councillor at the time the parish council made the proposal, abstained when the vote was taken.

He accused Harris of disrespecting the name of Dr Eldemire.