Medical Technologies Ltd rejects claims by Dawes, discloses neurosurgical drill still not paid for
Published:Wednesday | May 21, 2025 | 5:53 PM
Medical Technologies Limited is threatening legal action against opposition spokesman on health, Dr Alfred Dawes, following claims he made regarding the procurement of a neurosurgical drill for the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew.
On Tuesday, Dawes claimed that his investigations into the procurement process for the $31-million drill revealed what he described as “obvious corruption [and] blatant mismanagement” taking place in the Ministry of Health and Wellness and South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA).
Dawes further asserted that the procuring company's Customs declaration form, which he said was accompanied by an invoice from the manufacturer, revealed that one of the drills was purchased for US$1,600, and an additional J$90,000 was paid in Customs fees. Additionally, he stated that the drills were not new but refurbished.
However, Medical Technologies Limited, which procured the drill, said in a media release on Wednesday that the drill referenced by Dawes in his press conference and the documents he showed represented the motor component of a drill owned by Medical Technologies - purchased some years ago. It said the motor component was sent to the USA on September 26, 2024, for repairs.
It attached an invoice for the repair to its press release, noting that the drill repair has nothing to do with the new drill of a different model sold to SERHA.
The neurosurgical drill sold to SERHA is a new EM800 series drill and not the EM200 model, "as falsely stated by Dawes", Medical Technologies Limited said.
The company said it participated in a transparent tender process for the procurement of the neurosurgical drill and was successful in its bid.
"It is also important to note that no advance payment was made by SERHA and, to date, Medical Technologies Limited has not been paid for the equipment, despite it being delivered almost seven months ago and being used by surgeons at Bustamante Hospital for Children," it further disclosed.
Medical Technologies Limited said it has instructed its attorneys to review carefully the "false information, allegations, and suggestions" made by Dawes as it will be taking all necessary legal steps to protect its name and reputation.
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