Recent calls by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Stephanie Reid, for the Auditor General and Contractor General to carry out an audit of the operations of the hospital, have received support from Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Kenneth Baugh.

At a press conference yesterday in the Opposition's offices in Parliament, Dr. Baugh condemned what he described as "perceived initiatives" to politicise the board of the hospital.

His charges come against the background of alleged claims of manipulation of the awarding of contracts for works and procurement of supplies and services at the institution.

Ripples of fear

Dr. Baugh charged that an officer of the hospital came under pressure recently to bypass well-established procedures for the award of works and contracts in relation to the hospital. He said this had set off "ripples of fear" through the board and administrative staff.

Arising from this development, Dr. Baugh said the CEO, who was overseas during this incident, called in the Auditor General and Contractor General to carry out an audit of the hospital on her return to the island.

Following a meeting with the board of the hospital last Friday, Mrs. Reid indicated that she would tender her resignation, but to date, she has not submitted a letter of resignation.

New replacement

Dr. Baugh has also raised questions about another resignation involving "a professor of outstanding reputation" who had served the institution for more than 30 years.

He told journalists that a bursar of the University of the West Indies (UWI), who served as chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the hospital board, had been replaced recently by a government appointee, who is also an employee of the construction company owned and directed by the chairman of the new board of the hospital.

The Opposition spokesman has warned against the destabilisation of the "long-standing immunity and semi autonomy in management at the regional institution".

He wants Health Minister Horace Dalley to facilitate the audits authorised by the CEO, and to act decisively to preserve the integrity of the institution.