$31m drill imported by health ministry, MediTech discloses in lawsuit

Medical Technologies Limited (MediTech) has disclosed in a defamation lawsuit that the Ministry of Health and Wellness was the importer of the neurosurgical drill at the centre of a political firestorm over its $31 million cost.

The disclosures come directly from documents filed in the Supreme Court by MediTech and Kingston Central Member of Parliament and attorney-at-law Donovan Williams against Opposition spokesman on health, Dr Alfred Dawes.

The lawsuit, signed by Williams and MediTech’s Managing Director and Company Secretary Athol Hamilton, seeks damages for defamation—including aggravated and exemplary damages—as well as an injunction to prevent further publication of what the claimants describe as false and damaging statements.

The drill was purchased for the Bustamante Hospital for Children through a public procurement process conducted by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA).

MediTech states that “in or about March [2025], it successfully submitted a well-researched and detailed bid, at significant administrative cost and expense, in response to a request for tender to supply a neurosurgical drill along with attachments as well as provide two-year preventative maintenance service for the sum of $31,467,708.00.”

Following the acceptance of its bid, MediTech says it “thereafter issued a purchase order to the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) and thereafter procured and shipped the items to Jamaica in the name of the Ministry of Health, in keeping with standard operating procedures in matters such as these.” The lawsuit states that over 100 attachments were included in the shipment

The drill package consisted of a motor and electric console, among other components.

According to the court filings, the total cost covers $27 million for the equipment, including the EM800 motor (serial number SN24H514) priced at $3.9 million and the electric console (serial number NTC77484) invoiced at $4.2 million. A two-year preventative maintenance package valued at $4.2 million brought the total to just over $31.4 million. The invoice is dated November 19, 2024.

A section of the procurement contract disclosed by MediTech shows that it was signed by SERHA Chairman Wentworth Charles and then Regional Director Errol Greene, who is now the health ministry’s Permanent Secretary, on August 26, 2024. It was signed on behalf of MediTech on September 2, 2024, by Director Trudy-Ann Ricketts.

To facilitate delivery, MediTech said it engaged customs broker Garfield Gregg to clear the shipment. “The claimant will say that it thereafter engaged Garfield Gregg, customs broker, to clear the said neurosurgical drill and the over 100 attachments as well as to transport the items to the Ministry of Health.”

Supporting documentation included several Jamaica Customs Agency assessment notices and declaration forms for different components. One dated October 24, 2024, listed the health ministry as consignee and recorded a $12,500 payment for customs administration fee and $100 in stamp duty.

The assessments shown did not include amounts for General Consumption Tax (GCT) and import customs duty. In Jamaica, certain medical equipment are exempt from GCT and may also be eligible for other import tax benefits.

The cost that MediTech paid Medtronic, the supplier, for the equipment was not disclosed. 

The court filings were submitted in response to allegations made by Dawes during a May 20 news conference, where he alleged that the drill was not only refurbished but had cost US$1,600 to import, with only $90,000 in customs fees.

SERHA did not disclose the role of the ministry in facilitating import in its statements defending the integrity of the procurement process.

Dawes has raised questions about the cost of the drill and the importation process. SERHA indicated that three bids were received - one at over $50 million, another at $12 million and MediTech's.

At a meeting with Dawes in April, SERHA said Charles "emphasised that the procurement process was fair and that all required procedures were followed by the parties involved"

Dawes’ comments, the lawsuit claims, “has caused and/or is likely to cause serious harm to the reputation of the claimants.”

The documents further allege political motives, asserting that Dawes made the claims “knowing [they were] false or recklessly, not caring whether [they were] true or false.” It adds: “The defendant, as an aspirant to political office and political appointment, stands to benefit from this campaign against the 1st claimant as well as the 2nd claimant.”

Dawes, who is contesting the next general election on a People’s National Party ticket, has doubled down on his call for the Auditor General and the Integrity Commission to probe the procurement. He responded to Williams’ legal threat saying, “Go ahead and sue me. I’ll see you in court.”

Attorney Georgia Hamilton is representing MediTech and Williams in the case.

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