Scrutiny Over J$31.5M Neurosurgical Drill Deal Deepens As SERHA Procurement History With MEDITECH Raises A 'Red Flag'
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Medical Technologies (MEDITECH) Limited, the company suing Opposition Spokesperson on Health Dr. Alfred Dawes for accusing it of overcharging the government for a $31.5 million (US$200,151) neurosurgical drill last year, got 223 government contracts worth $201 million (US$1.8 million) between 2009 and 2020 — two-thirds of which received only one tender.
The database of Quarterly Contract Awards (QCA) shows that there were 152 such contracts worth $158.6 million (US$1.4 million) during that time period from five government entities with almost three-quarters of those awarded by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) — the public body that bought the $31.5 million drill.
In the case of the neurosurgical drill, the contract was awarded to MEDITECH by SERHA after an evaluation of three bids. However, the dearth of competition the company has faced in other areas raises a question about whether SERHA has been ensuring that taxpayers are getting a fair price.