NCRHA CEO to sue Facebook user for tent rental allegations

The CEO of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), Davlin Thomas, has instructed his attorneys to take legal action against a Facebook user whom he accused of defaming him.

In a media release on Wednesday, Thomas said he read several “defamatory” articles which are “void of any facts or credibility” with the intention of inciting mistrust in his office and against him personally.

Thomas, who is being represented by attorney Lennox Sanguienette of Hove and Associates, sent a pre-action protocol letter to Naresh N Siewah seeking damages.

The alleged defamatory comments centred on the rental of two tents after a document purporting to be a quotation from Rickel Services asked the NCRHA to pay close to $.5 million for a month's rent. The NCRHA said the actual cost of the rental was $97,875.

In a media release on Tuesday, the NCRHA said apart from rejecting the quotation shown, the purchasing department was able to secure alternative tents at a discounted rate that best suited the needs of the authority and its patients. Thomas also said the NCRHA will not be distracted from its mission to deliver quality care to its patients.

“Also worth mentioning is the fact that the NCRHA was able to decrease expenditure by $30 million, below its allocation, due to its disruptive innovations during fiscal 2018-19 and has continued to engage in continuous cost-saving exercises subsequently,” the authority said on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Thomas said: “I have observed with grave concern that irresponsible postings, sharings and re-publications of inaccurate and false information concerning my staff and my office, have unfortunately gained headway in the traditional media. I am a father, a husband, a son and a professional, and I stand resolute in seeking redress through a robust justice system.”