KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The prominent opposition People’s National Party (PNP) on Monday called for transparency regarding the awarding of a multi-million dollar contract to the British-based Phoenix Partnership (TPP) to digitize electronic health records.
In a statement, the PNP spokesman on Health and Wellness, Dr Alfred Dawes, made the call following international media reports about alleged racist comments made by the company’s owner, Frank Hester.
Hester became embroiled in controversy following racially abusive remarks directed at United Kingdom Member of Parliament Diane Abbott, and the UK Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that police are investigating the incident involving the Black British legislator.
“Hester’s unacceptable comments have sparked widespread condemnation and demands for accountability, including protests urging that the millions in political contributions made to the Tory Party be returned and calls for the National Health Service to cancel their TPP contracts,” Dawes said.
He said that the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) and the Jamaican government have been silent.
“To add insult to injury, the fact that Hester does business in Jamaica has been used by Lord Marland as ‘proof’ that Mr Hester cannot be racist. That the government of Jamaica is allowing its dealings with Mr. Hester to be used as a rebuttal to the activism of black Britons, the diaspora, and their supporters is an egregious offense against our proud history of the struggle against oppression,” the opposition spokesman said.
He said that beyond the moral objections to conducting business with an overt racist, there are serious concerns surrounding the procurement process of the contract. The initial Request for Proposals invited tenders for a US$2.4m contract, yet the agreement signed with TPP was valued at US$5 million.
“We are asking for clarification as to why there was a variation of over 100 percent at a time when the MOHW is facing questions as to how the Cornwall Regional Hospital project has seen cost overruns cost taxpayers 20 billion dollars (One Jamaica dollar = US$0.008 cents) up from 2 billion dollars,” Dawes said.
“Additionally, the MOHW is still unable to account for how more than J$400 million was spent during the COVID-19 response and is one of two ministries fingered by the Accountant General as not being able to explain adequately how J$1.3 trillion has been spent,” he added.
Dawes said the ministry urgently needed to address both the moral and financial aspects of this issue.
“The lack of transparency and accountability is unacceptable, especially considering the scrutiny from both the international community and Jamaican taxpayers,” Dawes said.
and then  on Monday called for transparency regarding the awarding){kind=link}