Holding UHWI Board accountable

By Gordon Robinson

So the Auditor General has tabled a report disclosing irregularities at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and it has been followed by the now standard media scrambling to impart leg or off spin to deliveries.

It’s too soon for detailed analysis of the report’s findings but at least two preliminary issues require clarity thanks to the aforementioned media hustle

One veteran Broadcaster lambasted a caller who wanted to deplore alleged misuse of taxpayers’ money and repeatedly asked the caller to stop saying “taxpayers’ money” because, as the broadcaster declared emphatically, UHWI is not a public hospital. Unlike KPH, the broadcaster said seemingly intent on digging a deeper hole, UHWI is a private institution.

Another veteran broadcaster was more circumspect referring to UHWI as a “hybrid”. It. Is. Neither.  

UHWI, a regional institution, is very much a public hospital funded in the main by Jamaican Tax Payers’ money with minor contributions from other Caribbean Islands. Additionally, Jamaican taxpayers fund large capital projects. J.I.S. reported in January 2024:

“The Government has set aside $481 million for ongoing transformation of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

As contained in the 2024/2025 Estimates of Expenditure….., the funds earmarked for the new financial year will help to improve patient experience at the institution.”

The hospital was established by The University Hospital Act an Act of Jamaica’s Colonial Parliament in 1948 and its foundation stone ceremonially laid by Princess Alice’s husband, the Earl of Athlone.

As far as I’m aware, that Act has never been updated by Jamaica’s Independent Parliament. The Jamaican Health Minister appoints 8 members of the Board and five board members are ex officio including UHWI’s Chief Medical Officer, the Financial Secretary and UWI’s Bursar.

For pity’s sake why do you think public procurement rules or Auditor General scrutiny would apply to anything but the expenditure of tax payers’ money by a public entity?

The second matter that’s obvious without delving into the report’s details is that, consequent on the publication of the report, UHWI’s Board said that “with the tabling of the report” it has
(a) directed a comprehensive review of all procurement systems referenced in the report;
(b) instructed management to regularize or suspend affected arrangements where appropriate and to reinforce oversight and compliance mechanisms without delay;
(c) approved the CEO’s application for three months’ leave to facilitate independent conduct of the reviews and processes now underway;
(d) discussed (lol) the report at a recent meeting of the UHWI Audit Committee; and
(e) reported “specific matters” to the fraud squad and Jamaica Customs.

Really? Seriously?

The Board’s own actions and statements which come only AFTER the Auditor General’s report was published, exposes, at best, its abject failure to effectively oversee the hospital’s management. Why weren’t oversight and compliance mechanisms reinforced ages ago?

The Minister’s political reflex to “appoint a Committee” to do the Board’s work emphasizes this. The Board’s eight appointed members should exhibit accountability appreciation by resigning en bloc and the Minister testicular fortitude by making his Committee members new Board appointments.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a slightly edited version of Gordon Robinson's commentary which was carried yesterday on Radio Jamaica's That's a Rap.