CRH, UHWI to undergo performance audits
Published:Friday | March 28, 2025 | 12:12 AM
The Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) and the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) have been identified as the first two health facilities to undergo audits this year by the Auditor General’s Department (AuGD) under the theme, ‘Ensuring value for money in public health procurement’.
Performance audits will form part of a series of audits in public health facilities across the country.
According to the department, the primary goal of these audits is to assess the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of public health procurement processes, in ensuring that maximum value is received from the limited resources available.
The AuGD’s audit plans are uploaded on its website.
Giving details about its approach in conducting this exercise, the AuGD said the audit will focus on public health procurement specifically related to hospital infrastructure.
For this audit, “hospital infrastructure” includes construction projects, major refurbishments, equipment purchases, information systems, consultancy services, and other related services.
“The audit will assess the procurement processes for these activities, to determine their compliance with the Government of Jamaica’s Handbook of Procurement Procedures. It will also evaluate whether these processes align with the principles of value for money and uphold good governance practices,” the AuGD stated.
As part of its strategic audit planning process, the AuGD engaged a diverse group of stakeholders who identified procurement as a critical area needing enhanced audit oversight.
Following further risk assessment, public health procurement emerged as a key focus.
A review of the government budgets indicated that approximately $517 billion was allocated for public health expenditure between the fiscal years 2019-20 and 2023-24, reflecting an increase from $76 billion in 2019-20 to $134 billion in 2023-24.
The AuGD said, despite this significant investment, stakeholders continue to express concerns regarding the state of public health infrastructure and the ongoing challenges faced in delivering healthcare services, highlighting that public health funding remains a critical issue.
Given funding constraints, the AuGD said implementation of effective procurement strategies is vital for the efficient management of the public health system.
The country’s chief guardian of public expenditure said it was essential for the Ministry of Health and Wellness, along with the regional health authorities and public hospitals, to implement procurement practices that optimise value for money.
“This approach will minimise waste and inefficiencies, ensuring the most effective use of the resources available for public healthcare,” the AuGD added.
The AuGD said the results of its audits of the UHWI and CRH are scheduled for publication between July and September this year.
It said members of the public who wish to submit comments relevant to the audit topic can email the agency at audgen@auditorgeneral.gov.jm