The Government allocated $671 billion to fund public health over the period 2019-20 to 2024-25. During this period, there was steady increase in the annual allocation moving from $76 billion in 2019-20 to $153 billion in 2024-25. Of the $671 billion allocated during this period, $361 billion (54 percent) was directed towards salaries and emoluments for public health professionals. This left $310 billion to address essential requirements such as hospital equipment, supply chain management, and infrastructure development. As such, robust procurement practices were essential to ensure that healthcare facilities were properly equipped and that resources were utilised efficiently.

The audit, conducted as part of a broader initiative titled “Ensuring Value for Money in Public Health Procurement,” evaluated how the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) managed its procurement activities to achieve value for money. It was crucial for UHWI to implement effective procurement procedures that maximised value, minimised waste, and improved efficiency, thereby ensuring that public health procurement resources were used to the greatest effect.

The audit revealed deficiencies in UHWI’s governance, procurement, and contract management processes, including instances of non-compliance with procurement legislation, accompanying regulations, and the Government of Jamaica Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures. If not addressed, these weaknesses could increase the risk of corruption and undermine UHWI’s ability to deliver quality healthcare services. Part 1 of this report outlines the study’s scope, while Parts 2 and 3 focus on procurement needs assessment and planning, as well as the management and execution of procurement activities. The Case Study section presents a series of detailed cases grouped under common issues identified during the audit. Each specific case provides a focused analysis of challenges, discrepancies and areas of concern observed within UHWI’s procurement activities.