PM commissions investigation into supplies procurements

Still on the issue of the reports of fleecing at the K.H.M.H., the Prime Minister’s office says that the P.M., who leaves for New York on Tuesday, has commissioned a team to investigate the allegations of corruption in supplies procurement. The team has been given a specific mandate to conduct a preliminary quick investigation into the allegations raised by Opposition Leader, John Briceño, last Friday and to report by the end of the week. A more comprehensive audit and investigation will follow. The team comprises the Ministry of Finance Financial Officer, Donna Crawford Smith, and two senior auditors from the Auditor General’s Department, Messrs Randolph Young and Charles Flowers.

Late this evening, the K.H.M.H. issued a release rebutting allegations made by the Belize Medical and Dental Union last Friday. According to the C.E.O. of the K.H.M.H., fluctuation in prices for the various drugs represents fair market value. A case in point, according to the same K.H.M.H. is hydralazine. When purchased from Bradley’s Imports, the KHMH paid eleven dollars and fifty-four cents and from Commerce Limited, fifteen dollars fifty cents. But when the drug was purchased from Antonio De la Fuente, K.H.M.H. paid sixty-seven and sixty-nine dollars.

Meanwhile, the Nurses Association of Belize which did not join in last week’s go slow today sounded support for the Belize Medical and Dental Union in the ongoing impasse. The nurses also clarify that they are not involved in the decision-making process at the institution and that contrary to what has been stated by the Carlos Perrera, Director of Finance, the unit managers do not participate in price nor supplier selection.