Ministry of Health C.E.O. discusses controversial contracts

Earlier in the newscast, we reported on the acquisition of medical supplies at exorbitant prices by the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. In fact, it is a major bone of contention in the ongoing dispute between doctors at the K.H.M.H. and the Ministry. News Five has received numerous copies of documents involving these questionable purchases. One that caught our eye today involves Southern Medical Imports Limited that is owned by Curtis Arnold and Kevin Flowers. News Five questioned the Ministry of Health’s C.E.O., Doctor Peter Allen about this particular contract.

Dr. Peter Allen, C.E.O., Ministry of Health
“I see a letter here from someone called Southern Medical Imports and something that suggests a contract of two point eight seven million U.S. dollars. In fact I have the contract in front of me and we do have a contract with Southern Medical Imports for the total amount for the entire year of forty-nine thousand four hundred and forty-one Belize dollars. The contract that we have with Southern Medical Imports is for one pharmaceutical item and four items of medical supplies. What I can categorically state, and I’m happy that Channel Five has given me the opportunity to state this publicly, is that if there were supplies being ordered by this company, they are not under a contract with the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health does have a contract for four medical supplies items and one single pharmaceutical item.”

Marion Ali
“But the letter says that it will be disbursed to the government hospitals, clinics, and health centers. Who else would be importing on behalf of the government if not the Ministry of Health?”

Peter Allen
“Absolutely. That’s a very good question. I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to that.”

Marion Ali
“Might there be somebody else or some other unit within the ministry that does importation or sign contracts with suppliers and you might not know about it?”

Peter Allen
“I would never be a hundred percent certain that I know everything that happens, but the only other contracts that the ministry engages in for medical supplies are with United Nations Agencies where we get specifically reduced costs for medical supply items. That’s absolutely as far as I know. I am the accountant officer and there are no other contracts for medical supplies apart from the ones that we have purchased through the United Nations for specific purposes—anti-retroviral medications, vaccinations and supplies for immunization.”

Dr. Allen says the Ministry is still awaiting the items which it has contracted Southern Medical Supplies to provide.