UHWI board reports specific matters arising from Auditor General’s report to fraud squad

The board of management of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) says it has reported specific matters arising from the Auditor General’s report to the relevant authorities, including the Fraud Squad and Jamaica Customs.

The UHWI board in a statement says it acknowledges the Auditor General’s report on selected procurement activities.

The report was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

The board states that it takes the findings seriously and is committed to addressing the issues raised in a deliberate, transparent and responsible manner.

The UHWI Board says the report identifies weaknesses that reflect long-standing procedural gaps and legacy practices that developed over several administrative periods, predating both the current board and the current executive leadership.

In recognition of the cumulative nature of these issues, the board says it had begun implementing a structured reform programme prior to the tabling of the report, aimed at strengthening governance, improving documentation, and reinforcing oversight across the hospital.

With the tabling of the report, the board has moved to further accelerate and formalise actions that were already underway.

It states that a comprehensive review of all procurement systems referenced in the report has been directed, with a focus on identifying root causes and strengthening controls to safeguard transparency, compliance, and value for money.

The management has been instructed to regularise or suspend affected arrangements where appropriate and to reinforce oversight and compliance mechanisms without delay.

The board has also approved the CEO’s application for three months’ leave from his accrued leave entitlement.

The board says this decision was taken both to address an extensive leave backlog and to facilitate the independent conduct of the reviews and processes now underway, without any perception of influence.

To ensure continuity of leadership and operations during this period, the board has appointed Mr Eric Hosin, a recently appointed board member and former president and CEO of Guardian Life Jamaica, to act in the role.

The matters raised in the report, together with management’s initial responses, were discussed at a recent meeting of the UHWI Audit Committee.