UHWI Gets Flagged for Shady Procurement Practices. Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis has highlighted an important issue regarding procurement practices at UHWI that merit our attention. She has observed that some procurement leaders may be splitting government contracts inappropriately. They do this to circumvent regulations meant to ensure fair bidding processes.
In her January performance audit of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), she found that the hospital was breaking down larger projects into smaller sections and using direct contracting to hire contractors. This method bypasses the competitive tender process required for such combined works.
The issue was raised during a recent meeting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee. Committee member Christopher Brown questioned why 634 out of 986 procurement activities at UHWI involved direct contracting over a 15-month period. This represents approximately 64 percent of all procurement activities, which Brown described as “alarmingly high.”
The audit examined data from the Integrity Commission for 2024 and early 2025. It uncover a concerning trend of reliance on this method, including instances where contracts were split to facilitate it.
Besides, Monroe Ellis wisely noted that this “splintering” practice could diminish competition. Ultimately, it compromises value for money. She referred to the Public Procurement Act of 2018. This act clearly prohibits this kind of contract division to manipulate values or justify less competitive methods.
UHWI admits splintering contract failed to meet legal and ethical standards
When confronted, UHWI authorities acknowledged making the questionable decisions. However, they noted that they made those decisions during a time of operational urgency and budget constraints. They also recognized that this approach was not only inappropriate but also failed to meet the necessary legal and ethical standards.
It’s wonderful to see this issue being addressed as we all strive for more transparent and effective procurement practices!
The University Hospital of the West Indies is an internationally recognized academic institution with 579 beds. It plays a crucial role in the clinical training of healthcare professionals. This type A regional referral hospital is located adjacent to the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica.