Dr Fuad Khan has been in the political arena for more than 20 years and is a senior MP on the opposition bench. In the People's Partnership government he held the portfolio of health minister. Outside of politics, Khan is a medical doctor, a businessman, a husband and a father of three. Last week Thursday he opened up to Guardian Media's CHESTER SAMBRANO about his personal life and career.
Q: Good day, Dr Khan, I put on a few pounds in the last few weeks, I hope you don't mind.
A: (chuckle) I myself, eating stupidness nah (sic).
After that whole “fat shaming” drama what was your takeaway?
My takeaway from that whole thing was at the end of the day, I just have to let people be what they want to be, rather than trying to point them in a direction.
In retrospect, would you have done anything differently?
Oh yeah, I was angry at the time because the kind of hard work I put in as minister of health and trying to decrease the obesity crisis in this country, children more so than adults...so when somebody is promoting obesity you have to ask yourself, is this going to make it alright for children to say okay I am glad to be so and end up with the type 2 Diabetes, hypertension and early death? So, it did strike a chord because I put great effort into childhood obesity.
Today, what would be your advice to people who are overweight?
The problems with overweight are many, people have to understand that when you are overweight you are carrying excess fat on your system, putting a strain on your heart, putting a strain on your pancreas, putting a strain on all parts of your vital organs, and if you could understand that it is a simple matter of proper eating habits and exercising regularly. If you make that your discipline you will then live a healthy lifestyle with less complications with non-communicable diseases down the road. That is my message, you listen to it, you don't listen to it, you face the consequences.
How long now have you been a doctor?
Since 1982.
What do you like most about being in that profession?
I like surgery. I am a urologist first. I was a general practitioner for a while and also a community doctor, but I like surgery.
What are your thoughts on the state of healthcare in this country?
The state of healthcare in this country could be better, it could always be better but people in Trinidad and Tobago get a good deal for healthcare, trust me. Compared to a lot of the other countries I visited, our healthcare system as it is, if you go to compare it with other places, it's not that bad.
But, of course, you hear the complaints about the healthcare system from the public, how much blame do you think doctors have to take for this?
I think doctors work very hard, nurses work very hard. I think the system in place where the ancillary staff are unionised and they cannot be fired and released causes a lot of inefficiencies in the system. I don't care who gets vex for that.
How do you rate Terrence Deyalsingh's tenure thus far?
He's had it as hard as I had it, he's done what he could to the best of his ability, he could of done better, but I think he tries basically and I don't have a negative word to say because I understand how hard it is in that position.
If you could pinpoint one thing you think he did right, what would that be?
I'm supposed to say as a politician, nothing, but I am not so inclined. I think what he did right was to continue the work of the formulary which I started and also getting the drugs cheaper from PAHO.
How would you account for your time as health minister?
I was basically what people would say an innovative health minister who tried different things. I started off by doing the NCD programme; the fight the fat programme which was my main thing. I also wanted to make sure that people got a good service at the scene of an accident. The other thing too we started off the health card; we did the hospitals—we did Couva, we started Point Fortin, we started Arima. But one of my things I don't sing about too much is the new women's outpatient centre in Mt Hope.
What were your shortcomings, if any?
Yes, I had shortcomings. I think my shortcoming was I was a bit rough, I expected too much too soon from people, in fact, I expected too much from myself too.
What would have been your biggest achievement as minister?
It's difficult to say, it quite a lot of good things. Maybe starting the Arima and Point Fortin Hospital and developing the health card, although it has crashed now.
What major change do you think the healthcare system needs right now to better serve the public?
A major change to make this healthcare system work better would be for people to have to pay for their health care to some extent, a small amount (he referred to the Singapore healthcare model). Of course, you have the social welfare people the Government would have to pay for, but the National Health Insurance System has to be a contributory system and I don't care which politician says everything is free, nothing is free, if you want a good service you have to pay for it.
What do you think should be done with the Health Surcharge, should it be increased?
That Health Surcharge is nothing compared to what is around.
Which do you prefer, healthcare or politics, and why?
Healthcare; I feel like I am doing something, something that is tangible. You treat somebody and they feel better and you feel that sense of well-being. In politics you treat a population but you only hear from those people who have a bad experience.
Let's talk about your political career, you didn't contest the election in 2007, remind me why.
When I looked at the three-party system; you had COP, the UNC and PNM—the COP was fighting the UNC and the UNC was fighting the COP and nobody is thinking about the PNM. When I did the census in my constituency I realise there was no way we could win because it was going to be a 60/40 split with COP and UNC and no way I could win an election with 60 per cent, so I said to them, if you don't come together I would not be going to an election to lose, it makes no sense. I am not that stupid to go for election to lose because of somebody's ego.
What made you return to active politics?
Kamla Persad-Bissessar was going to challenge (Basdeo) Panday for the leadership, the majority of the MPs were around Panday, she had nobody with her and she asked me to assist her to come on her platform because nobody else was coming. I had left a good name in politics and I wanted to help her and I went with her then. (Patrick) Manning, unfortunately for me, called the election within six months so I had to go for a seat. Had it been the three years I might have thought differently.
Do you plan to offer yourself in 2020?
No I don't think so, but I would help whoever is chosen for the seat.
How would you characterise the performance of the PP government of which you were a part?
The PP government was innovative, we did a lot of things, we had a lot of good ideas and very strong politicians. You could have picked anybody off the line. Of course, there was good and bad, but everybody had that innovative streak about them and they were given that ability to run with it…and quite a lot of things were done but more could have been done.
In terms of the UNC, in recent times it seems a few of the members, you'll tell me if you are a part of that, don't see eye to eye with the political leader and some have publicly criticised her. Honestly, do you think public criticism helps the party?
No, it doesn't. I can't think of people criticising her publicly in the last couple of years, I think the UNC is now galvanised behind one leader and public criticism is not a good thing, you hardly see that occurring in the PNM. You could criticise behind closed doors…I think the UNC has matured in the last couple years and you don't see much of that going on.
Do you think Mrs Persad-Bissessar is the person to lead the next election or is it time for her to give up leadership?
No. She is the person because she is there, she has run a straight course, whatever happened in the past happened in the past and there is no one else on the horizon right now. And she is marshalling the troops and she's doing a pretty good job.
If UNC loses the Local Government Elections it will be her fourth or fifth loss at the polls. Do you think the pressure would mount on her internally to give up leadership?
As far as I am concerned, Local Government Elections is nothing major because there are two or three seats that really could go either way and it may be political talk about a loss... Actually I think the people will be pleasantly surprised with this Local Government Elections because the strategy of the UNC has been ongoing for the last three years and I think they might have another thing coming.
So, you don't see this as a referendum on her leadership?
No, I don't.
What were Kamla Persad-Bissessar's strengths, first as a leader of the party and then as a prime minister?
As a leader of the party she is a person you could speak to, you could get at any time and doesn't show you any ill face or ill will, she listens to everything that you say and discusses a different option if there is one. As a prime minister I think she was loved by the people and she was a people-oriented person.
How does Prime Minster Kamla Persad-Bissessar stack up against Prime Minister Dr Rowley?
Prime Minster Kamla was basically loved by all the people and she was a soft person who showed a lot of care and consideration. Really and truly, she never became verbally abusive and Dr Rowley's personality is way different to that.
What are her weaknesses, if any?
I think one of her weakness is she listens to everybody and tries to please everybody. I think her good nature is her strength as well as her weakness.
How is her leadership different from Basdeo Panday?
Basdeo Panday was loved by the people too but the different in the style, believe it or not, Panday was more autocratic, she is not.
Have you ever thought about contesting the leadership of the UNC?
No, I never ever wanted to be leader.
Let's talk about Parliament, how would you describe the behaviour of politicians on both sides of the chamber?
I have been in the Parliament going on 25 years and it hasn't changed. I feel like I am still in 1995, finger pointing, blaming on both sides of the fence, some issues minimal going forward.
Do you think the population takes politicians seriously?
I can't answer that because I don't think they do, they expect a certain behaviour from a politician and we give it to them.
What would you suggest to make debates more than just about politics?
The majority of the debates are built on crime, if you notice everything comes with a criminal touch, there are very little and few social bills coming up. I am not seeing any social bills such as the children of incarcerated parents or the decriminalisation of marijuana.
Outside of your private practice and politics you are also a businessman, correct? What are some of your major business ventures?
I assist my wife with her pharmacy, Bhagan's Drugs, it's not all the Bhagan's Drugs, people feel we own all the Bhagan's Drugs, it's a franchise. Also I work with my brother as the marketing person in Premier Roads Maintenance Company and little ins and outs, nothing major.
On a more personal note, you are a husband and father, what has been your most fulfilling moment as a father?
Seeing your children growing up to be adults and standing on their own two feet…that's what fulfils me and my wife and I have a very good relationship after how many years long.
(Interjecting) I hope you didn't forget...
(Laughter) long, long…
You better remember before I stop recording.
We've been together since she was 18 and I was 19, so you looking at over 40 years.
I guess you stop counting after a while.
(Loud laughter) it fulfils me and we still hit it off!
When you are not in Parliament or treating people, what are you up to?
I do a lot of weight lifting, I go home and I read a lot, I come here (Premier Roads Maintenance Company) and do some work, I help in the drug store sometimes and find things to do.
What is your idea of a good Trini lime?
A good Trini lime, you eat some good curry; I like curry goat, white rice and drinking in moderation, have a good time with people who don't have a care in the world, who don't really have no preconceived behaviour patterns and just enjoy yourself because life is short.