– The reason is the simple fact that the financial resource has dried up. We will not receive new subsidies. As a result, all employees have been dismissed, says chairman Ansgar Gabrielsen of the Association for Children’s Palliation. There are 13 employees at Andreas Hus. The board has also decided that the association will sell a flat they own in the center of Kristiansand. Crushing report In January, the Directorate of Health published a report, in which a number of objectionable findings related to the use of money emerged. The directorate has stated that the association must pay back a two-digit million sum. They also stop all future funding of the Andreas Hus orphanage. – We had no chance of holding on based on the signals that have come from central governing powers with regard to the economy, says Gabrielsen. On 20 January, the Association for Children’s Palliation terminated the employment of general secretary Natasha Pedersen. Costs millions The employees had hoped that the center would open its doors. But now it is clear that all doctors will lose their jobs. According to Ansgar Gabrielsen, the redundancies will cost between NOK four and five million. Work is also being done to find out what the brand new building, which is ready, can be used for. – We are looking ahead to what operation we can achieve in this wonderful building, with the wonderful equipment. We know that there are many children and families who need these facilities, says the chairman. – We are in dialogue with Kristiansand municipality to see how the building can be used for the intended purpose, says Gabrielsen. It is also clear that the name of the building, which is today Andreas Hus, will be changed. The house is named after former Secretary General Natasha Pedersen’s daughter. – We will comply with her wish not to keep the name, says Gabrielsen.
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