The situation at the KHMH remains volatile tonight as the uneasy truce between the hospital administration and the doctors was put to the test in a lengthy meeting this afternoon. Unconfirmed reports are that during the session the doctors presented what they hold is clear evidence of corruption and wanted the administration and the Ministry to act immediately – or else the doctors would issue an ultimatum. This evening after 5:00 Ministry higher-ups, the CEO and the doctors seemed to be going into another meeting – their third for the day.
But Prime Minister Dean Barrow is not waiting around for what could be a long and arduous negotiation. Responding to allegations made in the press and in the National Assembly by the Leader of the Opposition he has appointed a special investigation team to look into charges of corruption and come up with an initial report by the end of the week. The team comprises the financial officer from the Ministry of Finance, Donna Crawford-Smith; and two senior auditors from the Auditor General’s Department, Randolph Young and Charles Flowers.
A government release issued this morning announced that the team is tasked to first conduct a quick investigation into the documented allegations that the KHMH administration has been purchasing pharmaceutical supplies at grossly inflated prices from suppliers with UDP connections. After that investigation is handed in on Friday, the team will next perform a comprehensive audit and investigation. The team started its work this morning.
This evening, CEO of the KHMH Dr. Francis Longsworth issued a release itemizing the allegations of corruption. The lengthy release discusses and discounts each charge of corrupt practices. And what about the dopamine which invoices show was purchased at $71 each when it was available for $3.75 from other suppliers? How can that be justified, right? Well, it can’t. Longsworth’s release says that there was no purchase for that price and the unit price of $71 each is an error on the purchase order.
Okay, and what about the omeprazole which opposition leader John Briceno spoke about in the House on Friday? He said they bought it for $120 from a company called Belize Medical when it typically sells for $15. The Longsworth release says there is no documentation found which supports (the assertion) that KHMH ever purchased that drug at that price from such a company. Longsworth concludes that “the prices paid represent fair market value.” The release closes by saying that, quote “we welcome the comprehensive audit.”
And while the audit is administrative, the bigger issue here is politics. The Barrow administration faces what has all public appearances of a corruption scandal, smoking gun and all. On Friday, the Prime Minister said that if the allegations are substantiated, heads will have to roll.
The Nurses Association has also indicated that it expresses solidarity with the medical staff at the KHMH. It says that quote, “the nurses....fully comprehend the implications of shortage of supplies and the clinical implications when the existing supplies are of poor quality.” It concludes by saying that the NAB fully supports the Belize Medical and Dental Union, quote, “as we jointly strive for the delivery of quality health care and social justice for our beloved Belizeans.”
