JAMAICA | Tufton Defends $31M Drill Purchase as Dawes Demands Transparency

KINGSTON - May 22, 2023 - Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton has dismissed opposition criticism over a $31.5 million surgical drill purchased for Bustamante Hospital for Children, calling controversy surrounding the procurement "hype" that doesn't save lives.

The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) acquired the neurosurgical drill from Medical Technologies Limited, but Opposition Health Spokesperson Dr. Alfred Dawes alleges taxpayers paid 10 times the global market price of approximately $3 million.

"What matters is that the process was followed and equipment is being used to save children's lives," Tufton said during a hospital tour Thursday. "Everything else is hype that may serve a particular agenda but doesn't save lives."

When pressed about whether the equipment could have cost significantly less, Tufton argued the procurement process would have addressed value for money concerns. "If there was a value for money proposition that was less expensive, the process should throw that out because the process allows everybody, once they've qualified, to follow the rules."

Dawes Raises Red Flags

Dr. Dawes dismissed Medical Technologies' threat of legal action, demanding answers to critical questions the company's Wednesday press release failed to address. He accused the company of acknowledging the transaction while dodging "every critical question about transparency, legality and why taxpayers paid 10 times the global price."

Specific Questions to Medical Technologies:

Cost Discrepancy: "Where are the import records? Where is the customs declaration? If this drill was legally imported as they claim, why can't they show us the paperwork?"

Import Process: Who cleared the EM800 drill through customs? What value was declared, and under which tariff code? Was Bustamante Hospital's tax-exempt status exploited to facilitate clearance? Where is the warranty agreement for the new drill?

Corporate Governance: Who is the undisclosed majority shareholder that Donovan Williams holds shares in trust for? Do they hold any public office or influence within SERHA? Could this relationship have improperly swayed the tender process?

"A $31 million price tag demands proof, not press releases," Dawes stated. "This isn't politics—it's about protecting every Jamaican dollar."

Systemic Failures

Dawes accused the Ministry of Health of "systemic neglect" for failing to enforce accountability in procurement processes. "The Ministry of Health designed these procurement rules, yet their lack of oversight borders on neglect. This isn't just about one drill. It's about a system that allows irregularities to thrive while our hospitals struggle."

He called for an independent Auditor General audit of the procurement process, Customs Agency release of all import/export documentation, and public confirmation from SERHA and the Ministry that due diligence was exercised.

"The Jamaican people deserve more than carefully curated press statements," Dawes concluded. "Until transparency is achieved, the cloud over this $31 million transaction remains unacceptably opaque."

Medical Technologies has rejected overpricing claims but has not provided documentation to support their position. The company's threat of legal action, according to Dawes, "will not deter this pursuit of accountability."

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