Authorities must act on UHWI financial discrepancies

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The recent revelations surrounding the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) are nothing short of alarming and demand urgent national attention. The poor audit results, the absence of critical procurement files, and the almost casual attribution of these failures to flooding paint a picture, not of misfortune, but of systemic breakdown and possible misconduct.

Even more troubling is the disclosure by the internal audit manager, who stated that, during his six-year tenure, he uncovered similar discrepancies to those now highlighted by the Auditor General. These findings were reportedly brought to the attention of the board, yet no meaningful corrective action was taken. This is not a case of new problems emerging — it is a case of long-standing issues being ignored.

The situation becomes even more concerning when one considers the role of oversight. Permanent Secretary Errol Greene confirmed that the board is comprised of individuals appointed by the minister of health, and that monthly reports — complete with internal audit findings — are submitted to the minister. This raises a critical question: how could such persistent irregularities continue unchecked in the presence of regular reporting and oversight mechanisms?

The apparent inaction suggests either a failure of governance or a troubling tolerance for breaches of proper procedure. It is particularly noteworthy that a previous board was dissolved following the resignation of its chairman and deputy chairman, who cited a lack of support from the minister in implementing procurement reforms. This suggests that efforts to correct these issues were not only resisted but possibly undermined.

Further compounding these concerns are reports that a senior procurement director was effectively sidelined into a non-functional role because he reportedly refused to “play ball”. His reinstatement only after the audit findings became public raises serious questions about the internal culture at the UHWI and whether integrity is being punished rather than rewarded.

The public deserves transparency and accountability, especially from an institution as critical as the UHWI. The excuse of flooding cannot be allowed to obscure what appears to be a deeper, more entrenched problem. If these matters are not addressed decisively, confidence in the institution will continue to erode.

It is time for those in authority to act with concrete steps to restore integrity and trust.

DENTON SMITH

dentona22@gmail.com