Opposition alleges corruption in purchase of $31m neurosurgical drill

 

The parliamentary opposition on Tuesday declared that it will be writing to the Auditor General and the Integrity Commission to investigate the multi-million dollar purchase of a neurosurgical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

 

The opposition has complained that the $31 million price tag was exorbitant and an affront to taxpayers.

 

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has dismissed the claims of the opposition and asserted that a competitive bidding process preceded the purchase. 

 

But speaking Tuesday at a press briefing, Opposition Spokesman Health Dr. Alfred Dawes said he has unearthed fresh evidence on the procurement process and is accusing SERHA and the Health Ministry of blatant corruption and nepotism.

 

"In November last year, just before the drill was purchased by SERHA for the Bustamante Hospital for Children for $31,500,000, two drills of the same type - EM200 - same manufacturer, same specifications, same model numbers were brought in by one company, the company that won the bid to supply that $31 million drill. On their customs declaration forms, accompanied by an invoice from the manufacturer, we see that it was not a new drill. They were refurbished drills with a purchase price of US$1,600. That was the declared value and they paid $90,000 in customs fees, bringing the grand total, landed - the same drill, model number, specifications - landed in Jamaica, cost nowhere close to $31 million, but J$250,000," he revealed. 

 

Dr. Dawes claimed that the company that supplied the controversial drill to SERHA is owned by a Jamaica Labour Party member of Parliament.

 

"This is not about politics, this is about the blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars. The question is further compounded, what could have possessed someone to spend $31 million on a drill when they could have bought 100 of those same drills. There is obvious corruption, blatant mismanagement taking place in the Ministry of Health. The company - and this is for the evidence of what looks bad - the company in question is owned by [a] JLP member of Parliament," he asserted. 

 

The neurosurgical drill is designed to support critical brain and spinal surgeries in paediatric patients.

 

Meanwhile, JLP member of Parliament for Central Kingston and attorney-at-law Donovan Williams has responded to claims by Dr. Dawes that he is a shareholder in the company which supplied the neurosurgical drill to the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

 

In a swift response, Mr. Williams accused Dr. Dawes of being mistaken and reckless in his pronouncements at Tuesday's press briefing.