Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Dunstan Bryan continues to receive support from his public sector counterparts in the face of heavy criticism and calls for his resignation by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP).

The Permanent Secretaries’ Board Jamaica mounted a strong defence of Bryan and other public servants who have been dragged by the PNP into its assault on the Government over the state of the health sector.

Over the past week, the Opposition has called for the resignation of Bryan, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie, and the boards of two regional health authorities, citing concerns regarding, among other things, the availability of ventilators and intensive care unit (ICU) spaces in the public health system and the increase in the country’s maternal mortality rate.

Bryan was specifically singled out for the non-submission of the ministry’s appropriation accounts to the auditor general since 2013. This has prevented the review of the ministry’s expenditure of nearly $700 billion in taxpayer funds over the last 10 years.

Bryan has since explained that the ministry has been facing several challenges which have impacted its ability to finalise the accounts, including issues with the accounting server; system-related and accounting errors; as well as the retirement, migration and death of former staff.

In a release on Thursday, the Permanent Secretaries’ Board said it noted with grave concern the recent public discourse and media maelstrom on the tenure of one of its members.

“The board notes the issues raised by various stakeholders, particularly those related to the fiduciary management of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We fully recognise that as civil servants, none of us is above public scrutiny,” said the board.

It pointed out that there are established processes through the Parliament and the Public Service Commission that afford for proper ventilation and discourse on any issue that has been raised by any oversight body such as the Auditor General’s Department.

“We ask that these processes be respected and that the civil servants, who must account to the Parliament, be given the opportunity to provide their considered response. This, in an effort to maintain the systems of Government established in law,” said the board.

It also requested that restraint be exercised in the discourse going forward “as we seek to maintain good order and good governance in the delivery of service to the public”.

“We also ask that due regard be paid to the separation of functions and the principles of neutrality within the civil service,” added the board which rarely issues statements on matters dominating public discussion.

The Jamaica Civil Service Association had earlier in the week stated its support for Bryan, who it said is facing undue backlash.

The association said Bryan has made invaluable contributions and shown unwavering dedication to the health sector and the nation during challenging times.

It said the recent attacks not only undermine Bryan’s integrity and professionalism, but also pose a threat to the stability and effectiveness of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton also defended Bryan, noting that he is a creature of Parliament who is “very capable” of accounting for his stewardship, and that “everything else is noise”.

In response, on Wednesday PNP General Secretary Dr Dayton Campbell, via a press release, said the party’s concern is not directed at “the dedicated civil servants, who are often overworked and underpaid”.

“Instead, we call upon the Government, the minister, and the specific accounting officers in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to address the issues of deep-seated impunity and the poor stewardship of the portfolio, which continue to cost Jamaican lives,” Campbell said.

He insisted that the party stands resolutely with civil servants and health-care workers, stating that they “are increasingly burdened by the under-resourced and understaffed public health-care sector”.

“The PNP remains steadfast in advocating for enhanced resources, staffing, and training opportunities for health-care workers. It is time for substantive change and proper management of our health-care system, free from political interference and mismanagement. Those responsible for the poor stewardship of the health sector must resign,” he said.

At Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Tufton said that over the past week there has been “a sustained and coordinated set of attacks on our civil servants and volunteers in the public health system by the Opposition party.

“I would like to publicly express my deep disappointment and indeed condemnation of these unwarranted attacks on public servants, on their reputation, on their professionalism, and on the institution that they represent,” he said.

Stressing that he does not intend to fall into the trap of responding to every “outlandish claim” made by the Opposition, Tufton said the reality is, “they keep moving the goalposts. At first it was missing ventilators, then it became ventilators not working, then it became ICU and high-dependency units”.

“The goalpost keeps moving in order, frankly speaking, to continue their agenda of maligning and discrediting an entire system, including our civil servants,” he said.

Tufton also said that he has observed no less than five spokespersons and between eight and nine releases from the Opposition, among other things, calling for the resignation of the chief medical officer, the permanent secretary, the board chairs of Southern Regional Health Authority and North East Regional Health Authority, citing spurious reasons for those claims.

“The Opposition has clearly decided that their best hope for political office is to pursue what I will classify as a carpet-bombing strategy. In other words, throw as much mud as you can imagine, as you can conjure up in your imagination, and hope that something will stick. It is, in my view, a morally bankrupt strategy that should not be supported or encouraged,” he said.

“Burning down the house to improve your chances of controlling it is an indication of moral bankruptcy and does not serve the interests of the Jamaican people,” he added, noting that his sources have indicated that a new wave of attacks will come next week in the form of the circulation of pictures depicting the conditions in hospitals negatively.