Secretariat for health system infrastructure committee dismissed

The secretariat for the follow-up committee of the health system infrastructure has been dismissed from today with its original tasks assumed by the Health Bureau, as suggested by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam Chon Weng, and approved by Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On.
According to the Official Gazette released yesterday, the CE signed a dispatch to amend that all administration and technical support for the committee will be provided by the Health Bureau from today. Meanwhile, all the staff previously working for the secretariat on non-permanent contracts will be transferred to the Bureau.
A press release by the Office of the government spokesperson claimed that the dismissal is due to the Secretary perceiving that it is more appropriate for the Health Bureau to offer administration and technical assistance to the committee following his evaluation of the work of the committee for a period of time.
Meanwhile, according to TDM Radio, the Office of the Secretary says that the dismissal is to fulfill the CE’s policy of simplifying the administration structure.
Mr. Tam perceives that the cancelling of the secretariat will push the construction of medical facilities more effectively.
The follow-up committee is to coordinate, follow up and evaluate public investment regulated inside the Health System Infrastructure Improvement Project, which includes the construction of the new Taipa hospital, which Mr. Tam is confident can be finished in 2017 as scheduled.
In fact, the committee was originally directly under the CE, but a reshuffle in January made Mr. Tam the president of the committee. In addition, the Secretary for Transportation and Public Works left the committee following the reorganisation.
Last month, the secretariat of the urban planning committee was dismissed, arousing suspicion by the public. The Executive Council had to clarify later in a press briefing that the dismissal of the secretariat would not change the function or position of the committee.
K.L.