Dear Editor,

Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health and wellness, on Friday, October 25, 2024 appeared angry and sounded quite frustrated when he sharply criticised the management of hospitals in his response to an infrastructural issue regarding air-conditioning units which resulted in the cancellation of a life-changing surgery at the Bustamante Hospital for children.

Any leader or person in charge who publicly criticises and blames subordinates for poor performance or any inefficiency should consider that he/she is also engaging in self-criticism, which can erode public confidence and undermine his/her authority because a leader is ultimately responsible.

Imagine, for the sake of argument, that after a flare-up of violence or a mass shootings a minister of national security called a press conference and harshly criticised the police high command for poor performance and even named a police division faced with serious crime challenges to prove the point. Maybe it’s easier to imagine a contractor who justifies delay in a housing project by complaining bitterly to potential homeowners that suppliers are not delivering materials timely and the project manager, tradesmen, and labourers are paid very well but doing shabby work. Amazing, isn’t it?

An effective leader or manager does not try to do everything, but ensures everything gets done. Major challenges and issues will often arise in the delivery of health care, which is a life and death matter. And Dr Tufton is quite right that taxpayers should get value for money by the optimal use of resources provided. But he cannot escape the fact that he is ultimately in charge of a very sensitive ministry and needs to fix or ensure issues are fixed when they arise.

Daive R Facey

DR.Facey@gmail.com