Danini Contreras – the young lady from Benque has come under very intense scrutiny after she was appointed to the newly created post of Drug Inspectorate Director and today per appointment came under fire from within the top ranks of the Ministry of Health. She has just returned from studies in Guatemala, and has absolutely no experience in the pharmacy field but she is the daughter of U.D.P. Minister Erwin Contreras, and it is believed that her appointment is a result of that political connection. Her employment to the top post has caused consternation in the Pharmacist’s Association and controversy in the Ministry of Health, to put it mildly. But despite widespread condemnation, the Ministry of Health has stuck to its guns, stating that Contreras is the absolute best person for the new post. But that’s not what Technical Advisor to the M.O.H. is saying. Director of Health Services Michael Pitts today spoke out boldly, claiming that he wasn’t consulted, but if he had been, he would have advised differently.
Michael Pitts, Director of Health Services
Michael Pitts
“Generally in the past we had drug inspectors who worked in the area who were very experienced people, some of them with eight to ten years experience who got some specific training on the ground…some who even went as far as Barbados for training before they were able to come back and start to do inspectorate work. It is a very serious activity and I think you need very experienced and skilled people.”
Reporter
“And apparently she isn’t, or doesn’t have that experience?”
Michael Pitts
“Well I am not aware of any experience that she has. What I am told and the knowledge that I got…she’s obviously a bright young lady who has recently graduated from a school in Guatemala in some area of pharmacy. I heard that she has a Bachelor’s Degree…those things have to be considered…you’re coming from different regions you have to look at equivalence and where they are placed. I think that overall you have to look at your pool of people in your country and see how you get the best out of it. I can’t subtract anything from the young lady….she wants a job, she needs a job…to the extent that she’s qualified she should get a job. But in terms of a process and a system, I think that if I was consulted I would advise a little differently on that matter.”
Reporter
“So you’re saying that you were not consulted at any time with the appointment of Danini Contreras?”
Michael Pitts
“No…no …no!”
Reporter
“Is that irregular for your post as Director of Health Services?”
Michael Pitts
“Well the Director of Health Services is the Chief technical Officer for the country, so I thought that somebody would have consulted with me on the matter.”
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