Earlier today, the recently appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment, and Civil Service Affairs, Mr. Colin O’Keiffe, held a general meeting with the management and staff at the Ministry’s Headquarters.

This introductory engagement marked Mr. O’Keiffe’s first official opportunity to meet with the broader team since assuming his new role. The meeting served as a platform for staff and management to introduce themselves, raise concerns, and share ideas on how to improve working conditions and overall operations within the Ministry.

In his remarks, Mr. O’Keiffe acknowledged the efforts already being made across the Ministry and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a collaborative and transparent working environment. He highlighted the importance of open communication and assured staff that their voices would be heard as part of a broader vision to strengthen the Ministry’s service delivery and internal functions.

Team members spoke openly about the challenges they face in their respective roles—from resource and infrastructure needs to matters related to morale, training, and administrative efficiency. Constructive suggestions were shared, and there was a clear sense of optimism about the potential for positive changes.

The meeting was widely described as productive and encouraging, setting a constructive tone for future engagement between staff and senior leadership. Mr. O’Keiffe emphasized that dialogue of this nature is essential to creating a stronger and more responsive Ministry.

To this end, he pledged to convene similar meetings to ensure that staff input remains a consistent part of the Ministry’s decision-making process.