PAC hears UHWI customs signature concerns and hospital reform update

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, June 2, pressed officials from the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Ministry of Health and Wellness on governance failures, payroll breaches, procurement controls and customs documents linked to a former chief executive officer.

The committee was told that no external auditor had been engaged after concerns about so-called ghost employees, but the matter was reported to the police. The acting chief executive said the investigation led to repayments of about $2 million, and that management was satisfied, based on the internal audit and police findings, that the sum reflected the breach identified. He said the hospital has since moved to the Government’s MyHR+ platform to reduce the risk of a repeat.

Members also examined records tied to the recruitment of a chief executive officer. The hospital reported that a review of board records found no minute showing that the board approved, rejected or overturned the appointment of a selected candidate. The only reference found was in minutes dated July 19, 2023, dealing with the selection process. The committee asked for further checks, including whether any human resource committee records existed.

Former UHWI chief executive Kevin Allen told the committee he first joined the hospital in 1995, returned in 2001, was confirmed as CEO on November 1, 2016, and left on October 31, 2022. Questioned about customs documentation, Allen said blank internal forms had sometimes been signed to help emergency clearances, but he had asked management to remove his name from relevant documents after his departure.

Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis said the report’s information came from Jamaica Customs’ ASYCUDA system and involved a C84 form dated November 25, 2023. Allen said he did not know how his signature got on that document and denied signing any such form after leaving office.

The committee also discussed the hospital’s tax compliance certificate difficulties and use of the private wing to help with procurement. Later, the health ministry’s permanent secretary said Kingston Public Hospital’s reported emergency situation was limited to Accident and Emergency, where air-conditioning problems and staff shortages affected Monday’s operations. He said all scheduled doctors and nurses were at work by Tuesday morning.