Lovell Wants Parliament To Intervene In Dr Jose Humphrey Matter

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Lovell

Former Member of Parliament and Attorney At Law Harold Lovell is calling for the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda to intervene in the matter involving Dr Jose Humphrey.

On the 2nd May 2019, the Medical Council of Antigua and Barbuda struck the name of Dr Jose Humphreys off the Register of Licensed Medical Practitioners.

Dr. Humphrey is a popular practitioner for a number of years but the Medical Council insists that he is not qualified to practice.

In a commentary today, Lovell said he was adding his voice to the hundreds of others who are calling for the reinstatement of Dr. Humphreys.

He said “the way forward is for the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda to intervene and pass the Dr.Jose Humphreys Medical Qualification Act.:

The lawyer says “there is precedent for this.”

He said in “In 1958, the Legislature passed the William H.King Medical Qualification Act in a similar situation.”

“Let us put an end to this injustice by adopting a bi-partisan approach with both sides of the House and the Senate rallying behind Dr. Humphreys.”

Read Full commentary below.

On the 2nd May 2019, the Medical Council of Antigua and Barbuda struck the name of Dr Jose Humphreys off the Register of…

Posted by Harold Lovell on Tuesday, June 18, 2019

 

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39 COMMENTS

  1. Dr. Humphreys rest assured that “all things are working for your good”

    Keep your head up and your mind clear. Fret not thyself. The Most High neither slumbers nor sleeps.

  2. It amazes me that people are calling for the reinstatement of this man while no one is addressing the point made by the Medical Council. Does he meet the criteria to be registered as a medical doctor in Antigua? Surely if the man met the criteria, he would simply approach the courts for
    An order that the Medical Council reinstate his medical Licence. Nobody is answering the question – does he meet the criteria to be licensed as a medical doctor under the law? Please do not reply to this post stating that he does if you have no proof whatsoever other than your uncorroborated opinion.

    • It seems to be that we are not a reading public. By virtue of the Council’s action to register him almost 10 years ago is proof enough that he is qualified. Did you see or hear the Council state that he is not qualified? I certainly did not read that. Please forward your “proof” and not your uncorroborated opinion. Read the Court Transcripts where the Chair of the Council admitted that he did meet the requirements and that they had no reason to not renew his license! Its a public document available for a nominal fee. Put your damn money where your mouth is. Court is expensive and damn waste of time. You know the expenses that a individual has to face when a Council of badminded begrudging doctors use state machinery and resources to victimize? Come on!

      • You say that Court is too expensive but then you state that in court the medical council admits he is qualified for a Licence. Which one is it? If what you state is fact then it should be a simple matter for the court to order the medical council to give him a Licence. The medical council is not going to single him out for no reason. There is more in the mortar than just the pestle.

        • How can you speak to what the Medical Council will do with so much confidence? Are you a member or a spokes person?

      • Guy clearly you never read the judgement. It see (https://www.eccourts.org/dr-jose-humphreys-v-the-medical-council/ ) said no such thing. When the first license was issued what they admitted was that he was not properly vetted. Required documents were not submitted. They then tried to ensure this happened when he reapplied. The high court ruled that his license application was incomplete hence was not at that point denied as Humpreys claimed. Appeals court allowed an injunction to give them time to hear the case. I understand they have essentially sided with the medical council

        • Stupz. Foolishness. It is not the truth. He submitted all the document. The issue before the high court had to do with whether or not they denied his license…this after they did not respond to his application within the 35 day period mandated by law. The law says, “The Council shall respond in 35 days…”. They did not respond in 35 days nor 45, nor 55 or 65 day. It was long after that that they responded an only after his lawyer had written them…and and after his license had already expired. The same judged you attached says that he was prejudiced. Did you see that part? Of course after his lawyer wrote them, they had to come up with something..thats why the Registered resigned and in her resignation letter to the Minister called it a witch hunt. She knew exactly what was said in council meetings…even on member of council then reportedly told them, leave the man a lone.

          • grassroot its important that we recognize facts: the court (lower court ruled) his application had not been denied
            “The claimant submits that the Council has unlawfully denied him the renewal of his medical licence
            and in doing so has unlawfully contravened the claimant’s right to liberty, inclusive of the right to
            lawfully earn a living. Having found that the letter of 25th September 2014 does not contain a denial of the claimant’s application for renewal, the court need not proceed to consider this aspect of the claim”

  3. So exactly why the UPP did not pass the Dr Humphreys medical act?

    This situation has been ongoing since UPP…..

    Opposition seems to make people bright…

  4. Don’t see the need for legislators to make an exception. There is a regulator in place. He knew the requirements. The University in Guyana, he attended to this day is not accredited, while others in the region took the time to ensure they are. Others who chose the route he did had to take exams and such in order to qualify in their home country, so why make the exception here? Because many of his patients like him? I am sure there are some obeah men who have good referrals, should they took get an exemption ? Feel as if he could have remedied the problem years ago but he choose instead to try to hide behind the court

    • Did the court not rule in his favour? What has changed between then and now? Did he undo his medical training? Does he have dementia or found to be mentally unstable? Has he renounce the Hippocratic Oath? Has he been hit with multiple malpractice lawsuits?

      WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE COURT RULED THAT HE BE REINSTATED?

      • Nope, he lost at the high court see https://www.eccourts.org/dr-jose-humphreys-v-the-medical-council/ and now his appeals has essentially been a loss. Here is what the high court stated:
        The claimant submits that the Council has unlawfully denied him the renewal of his medical licence and in doing so has unlawfully contravened the claimant’s right to liberty, inclusive of the right to lawfully earn a living. Having found that the letter of 25th September 2014 does not contain a denial of the claimant’s application for renewal, the court need not proceed to consider this aspect of the claim. [25] Accordingly, the relief sought by the claimant is denied in all respect. ”

        He was initially granted a temporary injunction while the appeals court examined the merit of his case. The appeals court has essentially ruled against him

    • Accreditation issues with the school he attended….as I said previously…there must be a reason he has been singled out by the medical council. There is more in the mortar than just the pestle.

      • Yep see Another Guyana offshore university accused of defrauding students
        December 28, 2016. CatibbeanNewsNow:
        “GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The largest selling English language daily newspaper in the world, the Times of India, has reported that another Indian-owned offshore university located in Guyana has been defrauding international students, seemingly with the blessing of Guyana’s National Accreditation Council (NAC).

        The American International School of Medicine (AISM), which is operating out of Guyana with a makeshift branch in Coimbatore, India, had claimed that its degrees are recognized because it is registered with the NAC and the World Health Organization.

        However, the World Health Organization has stated in an email response that such a claim is fraudulent and untrue, while the Times of India had found that the degrees that are issued by the institution are useless.

        Authorities in India and South Africa have since suggested that the mere issuance of the degrees to their citizens by the Guyana-based university is an act of international money laundering and fraud.”

    • Tenman you are poorly researched. His University in Guyana is accredited. Get your facts straight. 95% or more of the doctors here including those on the Council did not sit the exam because it is still not a legal requirement. I used to respect your comment but this one proves you are a blatant unresearched fool.

      • Grassroot I have. You point out where it is listed on the regional accreditation body for CARICOM: CAAMHP. The url is https://www.caam-hp.org/programs . You will see 2 medical schools from Guyana listed (one, a similar offshore school, having its request for accreditation denied). Unfortunately Humprey’s alma matter not even recognized since it has not even applied. Brethen we need to stop always spitting in the face of persons who were entrusted to protect us.

        • There are two persons on th medical council who graduated from Cuba…are any Cuban schools accredited by CAAMHP? Isnt it only one school on there that has full accreditation? Isnt it true that not even the University of the West Indies has full accreditation? Are you privy to the transcripts from court where the medical council admitted that CAAMHP is not a requirements?

          • IS CUBA a CARICOM member? CAM-HP is for accrediting medical schools in the CARICOM area. UWI medical school is accredited by CAM-HP. I provided you with the Url already for you to check if you don’t believe me. As far as I can recall, students who graduate from Cuba have to go though a set program first before they are licensed to practice here. Though some dislike me quoting, I don’t care:

            “The Mount St John’s Medical Centre’s (MSJMC) accreditation as a training hospital will end the more than three-year-old controversy between the Medical Accreditation Board and Cuban trained doctors over the internship issue.

            Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced yesterday that the facility now has the green light to provide internship positions to train doctors.

            The doctors have demonstrated their frustration with government’s decision not to accept registration for them to practice in Antigua as promised in a Cabinet Decision of 2008.

            The news will be more than welcomed by Cuban trained doctors who have been in the forefront of agitating for recognition once they had completed their training but could not secure positions in Mount St John’s Medical Centre.

            The Prime Minister announced that MSJMC has Caribbean Association of Medical Council approval to conduct such training, and according to the country’s leader this is a significant achievement for an institution that has been open just two years.” see MSJMC To Train Doctors Article Published: March 2, 2011. OMG

    • It has nothing to do with liking. He has the qualifications. Recogized all over. Please do your research. Im truly disappointed in your reasoning or rather lack thereof. The Council admitted in Court that he met the requirements. Then, the former Chair stated that he is licensed to practice elsewhere, and he can go elsewhere to earn his living. Can you imagine? A born Antiguan!

      • Is a declaration by PM Baldwin Spencer law? Is an article law? Only law stands. It is not law. Also, CAAM- HP is not a requirement…an admission by council itself. CARICOM started CAAM-HP but it approves programs even outside of the CARICOM too. It accredits programs throught the Caribbean inlcuding Cuba but CAAM HP themself will tell you that ‘accreditation by them is a voluntary process.’ Me done talk! Dunceness has no cure!

  5. Idiot he got his license in 2011 the UPP administration didn’t block him from practicing. It’s under this wicked ALP administration he is been victimize. The sad thing about all this the minister of health is his member of parliament. What you have to say about that red koolaid drinker.

    • Then why in his lawsuit did he challenge sections of the 2009 Medical Practitioners Act? His affidavit see (https://www.eccourts.org/dr-jose-humphreys-v-the-medical-council/ ) reads him seeking:
      “A declaration that the decision of the defendant (medical council) not to renew the licence and issue a new licenceto the applicant permitting the applicant to practice as a medical practitioner is unlawful and ultra
      vires section 18(3) of the Medical Practitioners Act 2009 and in contravention of the claimant’s
      right to liberty as guaranteed by section 3(a) of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda; ”

      Come on brethren take time to get your facts straight

      • Did you really read that…he challenged the Council for not abiding by seciton 18(3) of the Act. In other words, he challenged the fact that the Council acted outside of the powers given to them under that section..their act was illegal. Look up the definition of ultra vires. Jesus Chirst, if only we read!

        • Unfortunately ANR does not lend to aiding persons in easily correcting mistakes. I recognized it a few seconds after mistakenly hitting submit, hence the reason for the follow up post a few minutes later.

    • Guy it is the 2009 act which gave the medical council the power to do what they (rightfully) did. In essence Humpreys is fighting that very act, passed by then UPP administration. Let me be clear, I see nothing wrong with the act or the actions of the medical counsel since their intention and actions show them merely trying to protect the general public by ensuring there are standards. The medical school he attended is not accredited up to this day and this to me speaks volumes

  6. “Please keep Dr. Jose Humphreys in prayer. He got a doctor to work in his clinic on her off days. She received a letter from the medical council informing her that she can only work at Mount St. John. This happened after he received two phishing calls for appointments which were recorded. His sixth sense works very well. Thank God that he sits on the throne and evil can flourish only for a time. Evil meted out will be meted in. God is love! He remains resolute and strategic. This too must pass.”

  7. Dr. Humphreys is a respected GP, who holds the distinction as the first Integrative Medicine Practitioner in Antigua. Dr. José V. A. Humphreys is a respected and award winning physician. He graduated top in his class from the American International School of Medicine with a GPA of 3.94 out of 4 with Honors and Awards. Dr. Humphreys obtained Masters level postgraduate credits in Allergy from the University of Southampton and Masters in Internal Medicine from the University of Edinburgh/Royal College of Physicians, UK.

    TO QUOTE SOMEONE: “The medical council complicated this matter because of classism, badmindedness, crab-barrel syndrome and bitterNess.”

    • Another Guyana offshore university accused of defrauding students December 28, 2016:

      “GEORGETOWN, Guyana — The largest selling English language daily newspaper in the world, the Times of India, has reported that another Indian-owned offshore university located in Guyana has been defrauding international students, seemingly with the blessing of Guyana’s National Accreditation Council (NAC).

      The American International School of Medicine (AISM), which is operating out of Guyana with a makeshift branch in Coimbatore, India, had claimed that its degrees are recognized because it is registered with the NAC and the World Health Organization.

      However, the World Health Organization has stated in an email response that such a claim is fraudulent and untrue, while the Times of India had found that the degrees that are issued by the institution are useless.

      Authorities in India and South Africa have since suggested that the mere issuance of the degrees to their citizens by the Guyana-based university is an act of international money laundering and fraud.”

  8. I have said it before. And I’ll say it again. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR GOVERNMENT TO DELEGATE ITS AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO A PRIVATE BODY. It is government that should regulate every profession in every industry and if they do not have the capacity they should build it. But I cannot be subjected to the wimp and fancy of any other private individual like myself. And as I mentioned in the judgement of the Barbados judge regarding the unconstitutionality to forced membership of association.
    https://barbadosunderground.net/2018/09/18/justice-pamela-beckles-rules-membership-in-the-barbados-bar-association-is-unconstitutional/
    A person cannot be forced to be part of an organization. Same for unions.
    Students go to Cuba to study and when they come back they are told they cannot practice in their country. There is an accreditation board. It is up to them to make such judgments. And given that our students today are studying all over the world you then cannot have a private body pick and choose which university they will accredit. A man/woman comes from India, such a large country and said they have a medical degree from a University no one has ever heard of. Yet he can practice in Antigua as a doctor. But Cuba where we know everything is controlled by the state and their country is renowned for their healthcare and have actually assisted us with many medical issues. Those student that have studied in Cuba are been given a hard time to practice at home. This is unacceptable. You have now architects who want to decide who can draw plans here in this country. So you telling me YIDA has their own world renowned architectural firm, and these architects needs to get permission from our local architects on their plans. I can understand that DCA needs to approve the plans. After all that is a government institution. But don’t tell me Mr. Jenkins and others have the power to tell anyone whether or not they can practice. And the examples can go on and on. Take the accountant association. If you study accounting in a country and a university not known to them they can tell you that you cannot practice in this country because they do not know your degree. Well too bad but that is SO WRONG. And I strongly believe our politicians should revisit this policy and start revoking it. These should be there to strengthen the industry and to give guidance to the customers and the law makers. It should be like a good marketing tool for those in the industry. Something that will give you more statue if you belong to it. Take for example the Chamber of Commerce. In some countries it is a private organization and in other countries it is a government body. In those countries where it is a government body they regulate the incorporation of companies and hold trade shows and support export initiatives. In Antigua they are just a private body of business people coming together to talk shop. Therefore very few companies are member of it. Compare to AHTA which comprises of hoteliers we have a common interest in promoting the industry and work together for this purpose. But the Ministry of Tourism and the ABTA is responsible for everything in the industry. So you are not forced to be a member at all. People we need to seriously look at this system of delegating authority to a hand full of people. They are not elected nor work for the government. They cannot SELF REGULATE. That is not right. Just like we say one cannot be judge and jury and executioner all at once. Mr. PM I hope you read this and take it in consideration. I know my friend Cutie doesn’t agree with me, cause we had this discussion many times in his office years ago. But then he was also not in favor of decriminalizing Marijuana and you got him this far. So perhaps you can persuade him on this. Just look at the Barbados judgement. It is unconstitutional to be forced to be part of a particular group. That should be voluntary. Lovell please do not be a follower. Try ones to lead. You always try to play safe by following the masses.

    • Have to disagree with you on this one. You don’t want practicing doctors running a medical board? The skillet they have is necessary in determining whether someone should get a license. Trying to figure the alternative: we fly in or consult with doctors outside A&B? Can’t think of a regulatory body where persons making the decision are not familair with the subject matter. Anyway the accreditation body which is recognized in CARICOM is CAAM-HP. Here is their website https://www.caam-hp.org/ and as you will see the university he attended in Guyana is not accredited.

      • CAAMHP is not even legally entrenched in the Medical Act. It is not recognized by our act. The Chair of the counil admitted this in court. Take a read of the 2009 Medical Act.

        • Brethen I am no lawyer. One thing I know that something like that would more be part of the regulations, not the Act. Think you would know regulations tend not to need parliamentarian approval but more minister and board. They have now problably done so, since the court agreed the Dr. application was incomplete, hence there was no denial. Could also be argued since not complete, it was actually not even at a stage to be recognized. You sound passionate in your defense of the Dr. Makes me wonder about your objectivity. We set up these bodies in order to have standards and hence not have a wild wild west situation. I do not know Dr Humpreys but I have heard good things said about him. He well knows that students in the past from his university if they tried to work for example in Canada, had to first past a exam. Strangely he thought he could simply attend a foreign offshore unaccredited university and simply get a pass here. The court has made clear that the board is a regulatory body hence has to ensure standards are adhered to. Why is it that so many of our people seem to enjoy do what you like scenarios? We (some) do not wish to line up in banks, (some)don’t like when our own judge competitions. To our (too many of us) minds everyone else has a selfish agenda except us

      • Tenman, I wasn’t whether or not the university or college he went is accredited. I am simply against a system where the professional form a body and are given authority to regulate themselves. That is for one a conflict of interest and second in my view Unconstitutional. Only the government has such authority and cannot and should delegate that authority to no private body. And as I said that doesn’t go just for the medical profession. It goes for all professions. I understand that government may not have the capacity, but than thy should build the capacity. And they may ask the medical council to advise them or the accountant body or the architects, but the decision should lie with the Public Servants or the Minister/Cabinet. Apart from Rotary I am not part of any organization. Not even the golf club. I strongly believe in this, that no private body has any authority over me, to say whether or not I meet their qualifications, their standards. Let the government put the qualifications and the standard for every professional that wants to practice. An Accountant that doesn’t want to be part of the Accountants Association should not be hindered to practice, and architect that doesn’t want to be associated with the Architects Association should not be hindered to practice. Etc. Etc. Etc. Government sets the rules and makes policies. If I was in Humphreys frustrated position I may have done something violent against the council members out of rage.

  9. This is an interesting case for the people’s court. As such, I would like to seek compensation from the Medical Board for their so called error in granting a license to a medical doctor, who has been operating for a number of year in the State without having filed all the proper documents in place. Someone in their comments said that we should stand up and march, but I think anyone who visited Dr. Humphreys office should be filing a class action suit since the MEDICAL BOARD endangered our lives for all those years, how is that!

    I don’t have all the facts and I am not going to read all the links provided, but common sense can prevail. In one of the articles, it was mentioned that Dr. Humphreys holds a “Masters in Internal Medicine from the University of Edinburgh/Royal College of Physicians, UK”. Now if the undergrad university in Guyana is not accredited, but I am going to suppose that the University of Edinburgh is very much accredited. If this man was accepted by the University of Edinburgh and more so that a Masters from that University, among other post graduate certifications, what really is the case?

    I recall some years back, Doctors and other professionals that studied in Cuba could not easily work in Antigua even though the University of Havana is highly rated. Yet, we can accept the real Cuban doctors to work even though they studied at the same place. I am NOT in anyway downgrading the contribution of the Cubans, but we can accept our own too.

    Something is just not adding up and therefore I must agree with you Mr. Lovell.

    • JBF, you could not have deduced better. Council making THIS error is beyond troubling, it’s MALPRACTICE.

Comments are closed.