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Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says he is satisfied that the established procurement process was followed in the recent purchase of a surgical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.
The drill was acquired by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) from local supplier Medical Technologies Limited at a cost of $31.5 million. But the issue has become controversial with Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr. Alfred Dawes questioning whether the equipment was overpriced.
Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Thursday, during a tour of the Accident and Emergency Department at the Linstead Hospital, Dr. Tufton said what is most important is the benefit the drill will provide.
"What matters to me is that the process was followed and that equipment is being used to enhance the services in the hospital, Bustamante Hospital, saving children's lives. Everything else, to my mind, is hype, and unfortunately we are bought into the hype and the hype doesn't save lives. The hype may serve a particular agenda. It may make someone appear popular. It may create a comedy event, but it does not save lives.
"My job is to save lives through the policies that we promote as a government and also to ensure that the rules are followed. And I have no reason to suspect otherwise, and therefore, from my perspective, the matter is closed," he insisted.
When pressed about whether the equipment could have cost significantly less, as the opposition is contending, Dr. Tufton said the procurement process would have addressed value for money.
"If there was a value for money proposition that was less expensive, the process should throw that out because the process allows everybody, once they've qualified, to follow the rules," he argued, contending that the questions surrounding the surgical drill relate more to "hype" than to the process.
"Some of the allegations that have been made, those who have been accused must defend themselves and I believe that it is their right so to do. I don't want to get into that kind of conversation because it's not my purview," said the minister.
Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr. Alfred Dawes on Thursday declared that the threat of legal action by Medical Technologies will not deter him from asking questions about the $31 million price tag for the surgical drill.
Dr. Dawes noted that in its media release Wednesday, Medical Technologies failed to answer serious questions raised about the price of the drill and the procurement process. He said while the company has acknowledged the existence of a drill transaction, its response conspicuously sidesteps critical questions of transparency, adding that fiscal responsibility issues remain unresolved.
"They have acknowledged the transaction but dodged every critical question about transparency, legality and why taxpayers paid 10 times the global price. Let's talk cost and lack of proof. Where are the import records? Where is the customs declaration? If this drill was legally imported as they claim, why can't they show us the paperwork?
"A $31 million price tag demands proof not press releases. The Ministry failed the public. The Ministry of Health designed these procurement rules, yet their lack of oversight borders on neglect. This isn't just about one drill. It's about a system that allows irregularities to thrive while our hospitals struggle. This isn't politics. It's about protecting every Jamaican dollar," he maintained, adding: "To Med Tech, threatening lawsuits won't silence questions."
Dr. Dawes said the global market value for the drill sold to SERHA is about $3 million and argued that no evidence has been provided by the regional health authority and the Ministry of Health to reconcile what he terms the "staggering disparity".
He maintained that the Auditor General's Department must conduct an independent audit of the procurement process.
Medical Technologies has rejected claims that the equipment was overpriced.
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