There have been some major developments at the nation’s largest referral hospital lately. Notably, the K.H.M.H.’s Director of Finance, Carlos Perera was fired two weeks ago. The C.E.O., Dr. Gary Longsworth, will soon be gone, since the Board has refused to renew his contract…and perhaps most significant – the Department of Finance at the KHMH is the target of what is being called a focused audit, commissioned by the Board of Governors. We can’t remember the K.H.M.H. Board ever calling in an audit team on one of its own departments, but now it has. The catalyst of the investigation was the purchase of two x-ray machines by the Finance Department. The Board isn’t convinced that the deal was above board, so to speak. Today, Chair Chandra Nisbet-Cansino told us they had questions…and needed answers.
Chandra Nisbet – Cansino, Chair, KHMH Board of Governors
“Basically there are two x-ray machines that were purchased and there are questions that arise regarding the specific invoice of purchase. There is a small x-ray machine that is a hundred thousand dollars, and there is a second one that’s approximately four hundred thousand…it’s a portable machine that we need in the operating theatre and emergency room….so the total is about six hundred thousand dollars. At this time we have paid some monies to the suppliers but luckily we have not paid the full amount and hence the reason we want to investigate now to ensure that we are receiving value for money.”
Chandra Nisbet – Cansino
“That matter was brought to the Board…I think it was a meeting of last week Thursday, the tenth of July, and it was of great concern to us, and so we have asked the Auditor-General to kindly review the relationship between a particular supplier and the Karl Heusner.”
Reporter
“We’re also told that there are thirty-seven beds that were bought for the hospital but the manner in which they were purchased suggests some irregularities and that is also part of the investigation. Can you confirm that for us?”
Chandra Nisbet – Cansino
Chandra Nisbet Cansino
“I can confirm that yes that was brought to my attention. I immediately checked with the CEO and he assured me that the requisition was voided and no purchase order was issued for that purchase. So there was a concern.”
Reporter
“So does the hospital have that in stock at this time?”
Chandra Nisbet – Cansino
“No we don’t. We didn’t purchase it. We don’t have it in stock.”
Reporter
“Ma’am generally the body which calls in the Auditor-General gives a scope for the investigation. Could you give us the scope of this investigation? Will it be looking only at the x-ray machines for example, or will it be looking at a certain time period?”
Chandra Nisbet – Cansino
“Well the initial letter sent through the Financial Secretary is asking for a targeted audit with a particular supplier that has been selling medical supplies to the Karl Heusner for the past year. So that is basically what we are asking initially.”
Cansino would not disclose the name of the company providing medical supplies to the K.H.M.H., but we found out that it is an Orange Walk based super-store which, curiously, is known for selling home appliances and furniture.
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