In a sweeping anti-corruption move, the North-Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has severed ties with multiple service providers, resulting in approximately 40 sanitation workers losing their jobs at the start of the new year. The authority’s CEO, Bhadase Seethal Maraj, revealed this decisive action targeted what she described as “widespread corruption” inherited from the previous administration.
Maraj disclosed that despite operating without formal contracts or tender agreements for nearly a decade, cleaning company Magic Mist had received approximately $700,000 in monthly payments from the health authority. This arrangement culminated in total payments reaching $58 million over the past seven years. Notably, the company allegedly submitted payment claims for 80 workers while employing only 40 personnel.
Another cleaning service provider received approximately $37 million annually without proper contractual documentation or tender processes, according to Maraj’s findings. Both companies’ services have been terminated effective 2026.
The CEO emphasized that this pattern of irregular payments without valid contracts extends beyond cleaning services, affecting security provisions and multiple other areas across regional health authorities.
This development follows recent reports of wage disputes among NCRHA security workers, attributed to the authority’s delayed payments for contracted services.
NCRHA chairman Dr. Tim Gopeesingh provided context regarding the financial challenges facing the institution. Upon assuming office, the new board encountered 560 suppliers owed more than $320 million in outstanding payments. Through systematic restructuring, this number has been reduced to 118 suppliers with liabilities under $100 million.
Gopeesingh confirmed that alternative arrangements have been implemented to maintain cleaning services across NCRHA facilities. Additionally, the authority plans to recruit for the 40 positions created by the recent contract terminations.