CONSULTANT neurosurgeon and University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Medical Chief of Staff Dr Karl Bruce is threatening to take legal action over a voice note which has gone viral on social media. And he is getting the full backing of his employer.

In the just-over-13-minute voice note, being circulated on several social media platforms, a man believed to be neurosurgeon Dr Roger Hunter makes several allegations against Bruce while questioning his medical qualification, his character and his integrity.

However, when the Jamaica Observer contacted Dr Hunter on Monday afternoon he refused to confirm or deny that he was the person on the tape.

According to Hunter, who is the complainant in a criminal case against Dr Bruce, with the technology now available it could be anyone on the voice note.

But even without a confirmation from Dr Hunter, the leadership of the UHWI on Monday expressed grave concern over what it said were defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations made against Dr Bruce.

According to the UHWI, Dr Bruce is an internationally recognised neurosurgeon with decades of service and leadership in the Jamaican public health system, has successfully performed hundreds of life-saving surgeries, and has been honoured with several national and international awards for clinical excellence and contributions to medical science.

“Professor Bruce is a highly respected medical professional whose qualifications, experience, and contributions to health care in Jamaica and the wider region are unquestionable.

“Recent suggestions seeking to cast doubt on his credentials, or imply that he holds positions that create a conflict of interest, are both inaccurate and misleading. Dr Bruce is not a director in any company that compromises his duties at the UHWI. His professional integrity and commitment to patient care and public service remain exemplary,” said UHWI Chief Executive Officer Fitzgerald Mitchell.

“Dr Bruce has served the institution and the nation with distinction, and we continue to value his leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to the advancement of neurosurgery and the broader medical field.

“UHWI remains confident in Dr Bruce’s ability and continues to benefit from his outstanding contributions to health care delivery, teaching, and institutional development,” added Mitchell.

In the meantime, Dr Bruce was adamant that allegations that he is a shareholder in a medical equipment firm are false.

“I do not own, and have never held, shares in Medical Technologies Limited, nor are any shares being held on my behalf, either directly or indirectly, by anyone associated with the entity or otherwise,” said Dr Bruce.

“In my professional capacity I have provided consultation and conducted due diligence in the health sector from time to time. Any attempt to malign my work or disseminate false narratives linking me to ownership of Medical Technologies Limited is defamatory and will be subject to appropriate legal recourse,” added Dr Bruce.

Medical Technologies Limited has been in the news in recent weeks following a claim by Opposition spokesperson on health Dr Alfred Dawes that a $31-million drill it provided to the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) for Bustamante Hospital for Children was significantly marked up in price.

The company has rejected this claim and on Monday filed a lawsuit against Dr Dawes.