Dawes Faces Potential Second Suit Over Medical Drill Claims

Another lawsuit is looming against Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Alfred Dawes, in relation to the neurosurgical drill saga involving a private medical equipment firm, a member of parliament and the health ministry.

The possible lawsuit concerns Dr Dawes’ adamant allegation that the South East Regional Health Authority, SERHA, engaged in an improper process in the acquisition of the equipment for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

The People’s National Party spokesman has alleged that the procurement process was flawed, with SERHA receiving a refurbished drill at an inflated price.

He alleges that the drill was a refurbished one costing about $250,000. He says that same piece of equipment was then sold to SERHA for just over $31 million.

SERHA and the supplier, Medical Technologies have flatly rejected the allegations.

Daina Davy reports.

Medical Technologies in a statement on Wednesday responded to the allegations stating that the refurbished drill that Dr Dawes speaks of is different from the drill it purchased for the children’s hospital.

MediTech says its company had the motor component of a different drill it owns repaired overseas last year at a cost $250,000.

It says the drill sold to SERHA is a brand new one. The new drill carries 100 pieces of attachment and is reportedly the first of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

SERHA has maintained that there was a competitive bidding process with three suppliers expressing interest by submitting proposals from as low as $12 million to a high of over $50 million.

The chairman of SERHA, Wentworth Charles says the successful bidder provided a comprehensive breakdown of the value of the drill.

Speaking on Nationwide This Morning on Thursday, Charles explained that internal evaluators at SERHA, including leading neurosurgeons, assessed the proposals before a recommendation was made to the Public Procurement Commission, PPC.

Charles says as part of the internal evaluation, research was also done to establish an indicative price. SERHA’s indicative price was $32 million.

According to SERHA, the PPC approved the purchase and cost of acquisition for the drill. The PPC is independent of SERHA and its members provide keen scrutiny of government contracts in procurement.

Meanwhile, the SERHA chairman says given the public nature of what he calls false allegations, the authority may have to take Alfred Dawes to court.

Charles is calling on Dr. Dawes to apologise.

Meanwhile, Mr. Charles is expressing disappointment in Dr. Dawes’ actions.

Wentworth Charles, board Chairman at SERHA.