The inquiry into alleged wrongdoing at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital continued today. Two more witnesses testified including former Chief Executive Officer at the hospital Dr. Alvaro Rosado. But the morning began with Julian Chell – the vendor who previously supplied the hospital with fruits and vegetables. Here is a report.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Fruit and vendor Julian Chell told the commission that in some instances – he sold the hospital his fruit and vegetables at discount prices.
Julian Chell, Vegetable Vendor
“They had $500 to spend and I used to bring in my list and I used to sometimes subsidize things at a wholesale price for them to have the money spent and we were working together very good.”
And Chell says it was good until his contract was discontinued. He believed it was for political reasons.
Julian Chell,
“I used to work very good with KHMH, I had no problems and as a Belizean I thought about the people from the hospital and maybe tried to give vegetables like calloo and those things.”
Former CEO Alvaro Rosado says that when he arrived in 2000, there was no policy in place for procurement of supplies.
Dr. Alvaro Rosado, Former CEO – KHMH
“The hospital was a government department run from Belmopan by the Ministry of Health. If there was the need for the purchase of the syringe, that approval had to come from Belmopan. So the development of policies and procedures at KHMH it was a work in progress and it still is. But the policies and procedures were being developed as we went along. The policy and procedures for procuring pharmaceuticals and any item at the hospital was very clearly set out that was one of my main concerns; accountability, transparency and documentation.”
But Rosado says there was a clear chain of command. He says he approved and didn’t suggest.
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“The proper director would sign the requisition indicating to me that they had done the necessary home work and investigations and I would then give the green light for the accounts department to source the item. That sourcing would be done in conjunction with the appropriate person at the hospital. For example if you were buy paint then the person in charge of maintenance at the building would recommend the brand of paint, quality of paint, where you can buy. We would request three or more quotations for whatever item, and this included pharmaceuticals and everything else, and those would go to the Director of Finance who then verifies that these items were in fact available for the prices quoted and would make a recommendation to me as to what purchase and from whom. I then made the final decision as to who to purchase from.”
Orvin Nicholas, Commission
“So at no time you would give the directive as to who to purchase from?”
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“I gave approval but certainly not directive. I did not have any any active participation in identifying suppliers to the hospital.”
And then there is the case of Pharmoco Limited -the company co-owned by radiologist Freddy Mansu. The audit shows it did business with the KHMH in 2007 but that was news to former CEO Rosado.
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“To the best of my knowledge all radiology materials were supplied either by Dennison McKenzie, by James Brodie and Company Limited, or by GE company in Guatemala. That is the best of my knowledge. I do not have any recollection of Pharmoco and certainly not Freddy Mansu selling anything under my watch and I was there until March of 2008.”
Julia Castillo, Commissioner
“It was in 2007, October 2007.”
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“I am not aware of that.”
Orvin Nicholas,
“I am interested in Pharmaco Limited. This company was paid money on the 21st of October 2007 but the company was incorporated on the 1st of November 2007. So I wonder how could money be paid to a company that does not exist?”
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“I will join you in wondering. I fail to see how that could happen.”
Orvin Nicholas,
“It did happen according to the records. It was paid in October and incorporated in November.”
Dr. Alvaro Rosado,
“I have heard quite a few things that I am in awe about and that is now one of them. It will be interesting to see the documentation.
I see seven items purchased according to this from Pharmaco on the 7th October 2007. I see this, this is news to me.”
News to him - and that is even though he was chief executive officer at the time the purchase was made.
The public hearing continues next week with an all star line up. It starts on Monday when the KHMH’s Director of Finance Carlos Perrera will testify. And then Tuesday promises to be interesting with KHMH Board Chairman Ricardo Fabro, Belize Medical and Dental Union President John Sosa, and Dr. Jose Guerra all scheduled to testify.
