KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Health and Wellness has officially acknowledged the findings of the Integrity Commission (IC) regarding its investigation into procurement irregularities and potential conflicts of interest involving contracts worth nearly $80 million awarded to Market Me Consulting Limited. The report, presented to Parliament on Tuesday, culminated a three-year probe into the matter. While the ministry emphasized that no malfeasance was found among its staff, it recognized the IC’s recommendations to enhance procurement transparency and address concerns outlined in the report. Market Me Consulting Limited secured approximately 15 contracts between 2016 and 2021 for the Jamaica Moves programme, a health initiative aimed at combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through public awareness and preventive measures. The IC’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson, highlighted that Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton and Market Me’s co-managing director, Lindsay McDonnough, failed to disclose their prior friendship before the contracts were awarded. Additionally, the IC noted instances of contract splintering, a practice where larger contracts are divided into smaller ones to avoid stricter procurement regulations. The ministry defended its actions, explaining that some payments were reimbursements for goods and services already utilized in the Jamaica Moves campaign. It also outlined steps taken to address the issues, including halting advance payments, regularizing outstanding reimbursements, and finalizing a new procurement process to prevent future complications. The ministry reiterated its commitment to the Jamaica Moves programme, calling it a cornerstone of its health promotion strategy, while pledging to review the IC’s recommendations to ensure compliance with laws and policies.