The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has dismissed as “entirely false and misleading” a claim made by Opposition Senator Lambert Brown that a neurosurgical drill was bought for Bustamante Hospital for Children (BHC) at three times the usual price of the equipment.

Brown made the allegation last Friday in his contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Upper House, saying that “a little bird” had told him that the hospital recently purchased the drill for $27 million but that the price is not adding up.

“When you check on the Internet, that drill can be had for US$32,000. I have seen [an] invoice where that said drill was purchased in China at under US$14,000. If I bump up the price of that drill to… US$50,000 and multiply that by J$160 to one, that’s $8 million,” Brown said.

“That could buy three drills, and if you buy from the people who building the children’s hospital in Montego Bay, yes, you could buy probably 10 or more of such drills. Something wrong, something wrong, and I’m calling on the Integrity Commission to investigate that purchase and whether Jamaica got value for money,” Senator Brown said while demanding that the contractor involved in the purchase be revealed.

However, on Thursday, SERHA’s Acting Regional Director Lascelles Brown said the senator’s claim was “misleading and inaccurate”.

“Claims suggesting that $27 million was spent only on a drill with basic accessories are baseless and unsubstantiated,” Brown said in a news release.

He said the neuro drill, a highly specialised piece of medical equipment essential for neurosurgical procedures, was purchased for $27,267,708.00 and the total expenditure for the equipment was $31,467,708.00 which includes various essential accessories and attachments as well as a two-year preventative maintenance service contract at $4.2 million.

“The procurement of this equipment strictly adhered to the Government of Jamaica’s procurement guidelines, ensuring transparency and value for money. The neurosurgical drill was sourced from a reputable supplier and meets all international standards for quality and safety,” Brown said.

He also said it was important to note that SERHA engaged in a competitive bidding process and three suppliers expressed interest by submitting proposals from a low of approximately $12 million to a high of over $50 million for the supply and delivery of the neurosurgical drill, based on required specifications and additional accessories, attachments and a two-year preventative maintenance service contract.

Brown pointed out that the drill is a state-of-the-art, high-speed surgical tool designed for neurosurgical and spinal procedures and is vital for enhancing the precision and efficiency of surgeries at BHC.

“Comparing this advanced piece of medical technology to basic models or older models with limited accessories at significantly lower prices is both unfair and misleading,” the SERHA boss said.

“The acquisition of this neurosurgical drill is a critical investment in improving paediatric healthcare service to critically ill children at BHC needing neurosurgical and spinal procedures. The equipment will play a pivotal role in saving lives and ensuring that Bustamante Hospital for Children continues to provide world-class medical care locally,” he added.

“We urge members of the public and policymakers to verify facts regarding specialised medical equipment before making statements that can mislead the public and undermine trust in the healthcare system,” the SERHA official said, adding that “SERHA remains committed to ensuring the responsible use of public funds while providing the highest quality of care to the Jamaican people”.