POLICE PROBE

The board of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) has reported “specific matters” from a report on the procurement activities of the hospital to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Fraud Squad and the Jamaica Customs Agency.

Following the tabling of a report from the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD) in Parliament on Tuesday, the board said the relevant authorities have been apprised of the audit. However, the board said it would be inappropriate for the hospital to comment further while these matters are under investigation.

In the audit report, the chief guardian of public expenditure, Pamela Monroe Ellis, said the UHWI should immediately cease facilitating imports for private entities using its tax-exempt status.

She said tax exemptions should be strictly limited to imports for hospital use, in keeping with the relevant pieces of legislation.

The auditor general said she has made a referral to Financial Secretary Darlene Morrison in accordance with Section 26 of the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act.

Section 26 states: “If, in the course of an audit it appears to the Auditor General that any loss or deficiency has occurred and has not been reported to the Financial Secretary, the Auditor General shall report the matter to the Financial Secretary and shall inform the accounting officer concerned.”

The Board of the UHWI said it takes seriously the findings of the auditor general’s report and is committed to addressing the issues raised in a deliberate, transparent, and responsible manner.

Further, the board said it had already begun implementing a structured reform programme prior to the tabling of the report aimed at strengthening governance, improving documentation, and reinforcing oversight across the hospital.

The board has also approved three months’ leave for chief executive officer of the UHWI Fitzgerald Mitchell from his accrued leave entitlement.

It said this decision was taken both to address an extensive leave backlog and to facilitate the independent conduct of the reviews and processes now under way without any perception of influence.

To ensure continuity of leadership and operations during this period, the board has appointed Eric Hosin, a recently appointed board member and former president and CEO of Guardian Life Jamaica, to act in the role.

At the same time, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has moved to address what he describes as governance and accountability gaps at the UHWI, which were highlighted in the performance audit report.

Following the auditor general’s findings, which shed light on several breaches in procurement practices at the UHWI, Tufton has appointed a six-member Institutional Review Committee.

The committee has been tasked to review and identify gaps and/or weaknesses in the UHWI’s corporate governance and management structures; financial, public procurement and administrative management systems; and corporate risk-management systems.

Further, the committee is expected to provide recommendations on possible changes or adjustments that may be necessary to mitigate, manage, or eliminate the risks associated with the findings of the audit and strengthen governance and accountability.

Additionally, the committee has been mandated to provide recommendations on mechanisms to implement the auditor general’s recommendations.

The committee is to present a report to Tufton within four months with its recommendation for the institutional strengthening of the UHWI.

He said the health and wellness ministry remains committed to the principles of good corporate governance, public procurement, and the efficient and prudent stewardship of public resources.

In her recommendations, Monroe Ellis also said that the UHWI must address violations of procurement regulations and protocols by conducting a comprehensive assessment of its procurement processes.

She said this review should ensure full compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2015, Public Procurement Regulations 2018, the Government of Jamaica Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures, and relevant circulars issued by the Ministry of Finance and Public Service.

Furthermore, the auditor general said the UHWI must adhere to the requirement to use the Government of Jamaica Electronic Procurement platform and submit the monthly Procurement Systems Report in a timely manner in accordance with Circular No. 18 dated June 23, 2023.

The members of the review committee are:

· Howard Mitchell – Past president of the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica - Chairman

· Joseph Taffe - Retired deputy chief executive officer of the GraceKennedy Financial Group

· Dr Tomlin Paul - Deputy principal, UWI Mona

· Angella Robertson - Attorney-at law

· Professor Alvin Wint - Emeritus professor of international business, UWI Mona

· Kadian Birch – Chief programme officer, Ministry of Health and Wellness