PAC summons former UHWI leaders over audit findings
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has moved to summon University of the Hospital of the West Indies, (UHWI) CEO Fitzgerald Mitchell, former CEO Kevin Allen and former board chairman Wayne Chai Chong, as it deepens its probe into a damning Auditor General report on the hospital’s operations.
The decision came at the start of the committee’s sitting on Tuesday, as members continued to review and probe the findings of the performance audit, which examined procurement practices, governance and financial management at the institution.
Chairman Julian Robinson told the committee that it had become clear that current management was unable to adequately respond to several key issues raised in the report.
“Members from the first meeting that we had two weeks ago, it is apparent to me that the current management of the university hospital is not in a position to answer many of the questions that we have related to the operations of the university hospital. I’m seeking the committee’s agreement for us to summon the current CEO of the hospital who is on leave, Mr (Fitzgerald) Mitchell, the previous CEO, Mr (Kevin) Allen… and the former chairman of the board, Mr (Wayne) Chai Chong… so that we can have many of the questions that we have answered at this committee,” he added.
Mitchell, who serves as chief executive officer of UHWI, is currently on leave amid the ongoing scrutiny. Allen is a former CEO who previously oversaw the hospital’s operations, while Chai Chong, as former board chairman, would have had responsibility for governance and oversight of the institution.
The proposal was supported by members and instructions were given for formal letters to be sent to all three individuals.
The Auditor General’s report, tabled in December 2025, raised serious concerns about UHWI’s procurement systems and overall governance, including weak internal controls, gaps in documentation and breaches of established procedures.
