Cabinet supports recommendations made by review committee following Auditor General’s report into UHWI

Cabinet has given its support to the recommendations made by a review committee appointed by Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton following the Auditor General’s report into the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

The hospital was flagged by the Auditor General for the alleged misuse of its tax exemption status to facilitate the importation of goods on behalf of private companies.

The alleged breach contributed to losses of over $20 million.

A multi-agency probe is underway, and the UHWI Institutional Review Committee was appointed to look into gaps and weaknesses in the operations of the hospital.

Dr. Tufton received the Committee’s report a few days ago and it was taken to Cabinet yesterday.

He said the report is about the way forward for the institution noting that other bodies including Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee and the Integrity Commission are probing the issues.

Chairman of the Committee, Howard Mitchell, in outlining the governance challenges at the UHWI said the hospital is in a critical state.

According to him, the UHWI itself is in the intensive care unit.

He said among the recommendations is term limits for board members.

The report is to be published on the Health Ministry’s website.