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July 29, 2008
GOVERNOR EXPRESSES CONCERN AT ALLEGATIONS SURROUNDING ROY LESTER SCHNEIDER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, AWAITS FINAL JOINT AUDIT REPORT FROM THE INSPECTORS GENERAL In response to the serious issues raised by the publication of the Virgin Islands Daily News story on the problems at the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center, Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. on Tuesday afternoon released the following statement: "I am sure that I share the same concerns and worries as the vast majority of residents of the Virgin Islands about the most troubling reports contained in the recent newspaper articles which allege serious problems at the Hospital on St. Thomas. What everyone should know is that my office has been working on these and related issues over the past several weeks as they have been part of the subject matter of the joint audit being conducted by the local Inspector General and the federal Inspector General looking into the Administrative Functions at the RLS Regional Medical Center. However, based on the rules of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of the Interior, I cannot make any public comment regarding the contents of the preliminary joint audit report at this time. I am informed that the final Report of the joint audit is due to be presented to me, and then to the public, in the very near future. Accordingly, I believe that it is the proper and appropriate course of action to defer any comment on the issues raised about the Hospital until the final audit has been presented and we have a chance to review it. At that time, my office shall make a public announcement in response both to the final audit report as well as to those other issues referenced in the newspaper's investigation into the functioning and governance of the St. Thomas hospital." The Governor further stated, "That the healthcare provided to our residents must be of the highest standard, and the operation of our hospitals and clinics must provide that high standard of care while remaining free from scandal and wrong-doing as well as free from the perception of scandal or wrong-doing. Our resources are far too scarce and valuable to be squandered on corruption, waste or inefficiency, and I assure all in the Virgin Islands that I will not be satisfied until the operation of our hospitals is beyond reproach and providing the quality care that our residents demand and deserve." |
