Tufton announces committee to review governance and accountability issues at UHWI amid Auditor General report

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has announced the establishment of an institutional review committee to address governance and accountability gaps uncovered by the Auditor General during a performance audit of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

Among other things, the report, which was tabled in Parliament today, found that UHWI awarded 51 contracts totalling $521 million for which the Auditor General found no procurement documentation.

The Auditor General also discovered that UHWI used its tax-exempt status to import goods for a private company and later purchased those same goods from the entity.

“This misrepresentation breached the Customs Act, resulting in over $20 million in unpaid import duties. Section 209(1) of the Act prohibits false declarations on customs documents, with violations subject to fines or prosecution,” the report stated.

Additionally, the audit found that UHWI frequently initiated the procurement process after goods or services had already been delivered or works completed; that the hospital conducted two purchases through its Private Wing, thereby bypassing standard procurement procedures; and that UHWI failed to follow required procurement procedures when hiring consultants and other service providers.

In a statement on Tuesday, Tufton said the review committee will examine the issues raised in the audit.

The committee comprises prominent businessman and former Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica president Howard Mitchell, who will serve as chairman; Joseph Taffe, retired deputy chief executive officer of the GraceKennedy Financial Group; Dr Tomlin Paul, deputy principal, UWI Mona; attorney-at-law Angella Robertson; Professor Alvin Wint, emeritus professor of international business, UWI Mona; and Kadian Birch, chief programme officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Tufton said the committee has been tasked with reviewing and identifying gaps and/or weaknesses in UHWI’s corporate governance and management structures; its financial, public procurement and administrative management systems; and its corporate risk management systems.

The committee is also to provide recommendations on possible changes or adjustments necessary to mitigate, manage or eliminate risks associated with the audit’s findings and to strengthen governance and accountability.

Further, the committee is tasked with making recommendations on mechanisms to implement the Auditor General’s recommendations.

The committee is to submit a report to the minister of health and wellness within four months, outlining recommendations for the institutional strengthening of UHWI.

The health ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of good corporate governance, public procurement, and the efficient and prudent stewardship of public resources.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness acknowledges the importance of sound corporate governance and accountability systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in the public health sector. The Ministry further acknowledges the fundamental principles of transparency, value for money, competition and integrity that underpin the Government of Jamaica’s public procurement system,” the statement said.

“The UHWI is a key institution in the public health sector, being one of the three Type A hospitals and a final referral hospital offering highly specialised services, not only to Jamaicans but also to Caribbean nationals. Importantly, UHWI is the main training institution for medical doctors and other health professionals,” it added.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.