PARAMARIBO – The forced departure of Brenda van Daal, the director at Huize Ashiana, not only indicates that there is a leadership crisis but it also exposes the deeply rooted structural problems...
within one of Suriname's oldest retirement homes. alleen een leiderschapscrisis, maar legt ook Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) Minister Diana Pokie explained that the lack of transparency, financial accountability and a clear donation policy resulted in the director being given the boot. “An institute that is dependent on state subsidies cannot operate without actual reports and a clear policy,” said Minister Pokie. The workers at Huize Ashiana had complained about the lack of communication and the lack of trust in management while the union and the board concluded that they could no longer continue working with Van Daal. The growing tensions placed a lot of pressure on the quality of the care at this retirement home. The crisis management team that was put together by the Social Affairs and Housing Ministry has been given 6 months to restore order. “This is about guaranteeing the dignity of hundreds of senior citizens who are dependent on Ashiana,” said Pokie. Meanwhile Huize Ashiana will reportedly be kept under close watch.