Narong gets nod to return as top public health official
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday ordered the immediate reinstatement of Narong Sahamethapat, the former Public Health Ministry permanent secretary, after a fact-finding panel cleared him of allegations that he failed to respond to the government
Narong had been transferred to the PM’s Office Ministry for five months since March 11. A fact-finding panel, headed by the Commerce Ministry permanent secretary, completed its probe and found that Narong had done nothing wrong.
The probe was ordered by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Yongyuth Yuthawong after Health Minister Rachata Rachatanavin accused Narong of failure to implement the government’s policies.
Yongyuth said earlier that the fact-finding panel found that Narong, who is due to retire on September 30, had locked horns with Rachata at work due to a difference of opinion.
Yongyuth said the PM signed the reinstatement under three conditions: no more transfers to the ministry will be made to prevent more conflicts to erupt again; Narong must not get involved with the National Health Security Office (NHSO); and Narong must follow the policies indicated by Ratchata.
Failure to abide by the conditions will result in Narong being transferred again, Yongyuth said.
