KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Health and Wellness says it has taken note of the report from the Integrity Commission (IC), of its probe report into allegations of procurement irregularities and conflicts of interest surrounding the award of contracts totaling nearly $80 million to Market Me Consulting Limited by the ministry.

The report, which was tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday, followed a three-year probe.

The ministry, in a statement, said it notes there were no findings of malfeasance with regards to the actions of its staff. But, it said it “recognises the recommendations of the IC and the need to strengthen the procurement processes to ensure greater levels of transparency in order to mitigate the perceptions as defined in the report”.

Market Me was awarded some 15 contracts between 2016 and 2021 for the Jamaica Moves programme. The IC’s Director of Investigation, Kevon Stephenson noted that health and wellness minister Dr Christopher Tufton and Market Me’s co-managing director, Lindsay McDonnough did not disclose their friendship prior to the company being awarded the contracts.

Stephenson also noted that several of the contracts were splintered.

The ministry said it formulated the Jamaica Moves campaign to bring awareness to the population on the issues of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and sought to promote preventative actions for positive health outcomes.

“The programme remains the flagship health promotion and prevention strategy for the ministry. However, given the importance of this intervention to the reduction of the impact of NCDs on the population, the ministry will continue to review and assess the IC report and the suggestions that are made therein, and, where necessary, institute measures to strengthen programme implementation in compliance with relevant laws and policies,” it said.

It has taken “special note” of the IC’s finding on contract splintering and the recommendation found in Section 7.4 of the report where the IC advises that the ministry should “… desist from engaging in actions that may give the appearance of contract splintering”.

“We acknowledge that the transactions, some of which are evidenced on page 70 of the report, could give the appearance of splintering, however, careful analysis would show:

1. The invoices were for “reimbursement” of goods and services already received and utilised for the implementation of activities in the Jamaica Moves campaign.

2. The invoices for reimbursement had the same date, however, the description of items shows that the reimbursements were for multiple events over the period of approximately one year.

3. The invoices for reimbursement were for the payment of items that include water, t-shirts, lighting, staging equipment, food, etc.

4. That none of these items were part of the supply contract with Market Me.

5. That these costs had been paid months in advance by the company, with the full knowledge of the ministry, and that a reimbursement was required.

The ministry said once the matter was raised with its executive management, all efforts were immediately made to: cease all further advance payment transactions; regularise the transactions through the payment of the outstanding reimbursements; and finalise the procurement process for a new contract to cauterise any further need for advance payments by the company and any subsequent payment for reimbursement.