In a scathing critique of the government’s handling of systemic failures at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Opposition Health Spokesman Dr. Alfred Dawes has accused health authorities of prioritizing public relations over substantive reform. The condemnation came during a carefully timed press conference on Thursday, deliberately scheduled after the health minister’s media tour had concluded.
Dr. Dawes challenged the necessity of the newly established review panel tasked with examining the auditor general’s findings, characterizing it as redundant bureaucratic layering designed to delay accountability. He revealed that both the auditor general’s report, tabled in Parliament on January 13, and an internal investigative report from November had already documented identical concerns regarding governance failures, procurement breaches, and internal control deficiencies.
The audit uncovered years of systemic weaknesses including UHWI’s failure to submit approved procurement plans, awarding contracts without proper documentation, and misusing its tax-exempt status to import goods for private companies—resulting in millions in lost state revenue. The report further highlighted inadequate board oversight and non-compliance with public procurement regulations.
‘After every scandal, the health minister embarks on a cross-country media tour to drown out criticism,’ Dawes stated. ‘The panel serves as a distraction mechanism allowing public interest to wane over four months before moving to the next scandal.’
The opposition spokesman questioned why decisive action wasn’t taken when concerns were first identified last year, noting that investigative recommendations already included establishing board-approved procurement plans, digital procurement systems, staff training, and strengthened audit committees. Dawes linked current problems to prolonged governance instability, including the disbanding of a previous reform-oriented board.
He warned that continued delays threaten public confidence, patient care, and staff morale at Jamaica’s premier teaching hospital, describing UHWI as being in a ‘death spiral due to poor governance.’