THE University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is reporting that it has started a comprehensive programme of institutional transformation aimed at strengthening governance, improving operational systems, enhancing accountability, and reinforcing its long-standing commitment to patient care, medical education, and service to Jamaica and the wider region.

The transformation programme follows the work of the UHWI Institutional Review Committee, a recent auditor general’s report, and other internal and external review processes, which highlighted the need for renewed focus on governance, management systems, financial administration, procurement practices, strategic planning, risk management, oversight, internal controls, and compliance.

In a media release on Monday the hospital said, as part of this renewed direction, Eric Hosin was appointed acting chief executive officer in January 2026.

His appointment forms part of a broader effort to strengthen executive leadership and accelerate the implementation of corrective measures across the institution.

“UHWI is entering a period of serious and necessary transformation,” said Hosin.

“Our focus is on building stronger systems, improving internal controls, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring that every change we make supports our core mission: the delivery of quality patient care. The public, our staff, our partners, and our stakeholders can expect to see meaningful improvements as this work progresses,” added Hosin.

The hospital has also appointed Gihan De Mel as senior director of finance, with responsibility for advancing key financial priorities, including the completion of outstanding financial statements and the strengthening of financial management systems.

In the release, the hospital said in recent months it has taken several steps to advance institutional reform, including issuing clear instructions to staff on compliance requirements, commencing training in public procurement laws and regulations, engaging audit support for outstanding financial statements, and initiating reviews of procurement activities and internal processes.

“These actions are part of a wider programme to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability across the hospital,” said Hosin.

In the meantime, chairman of the UHWI Board of Management Patrick Hylton said the new board is committed to ensuring that the transformation is sustained and visible.

“The board recognises the importance of UHWI to Jamaica’s health system and to the training of health professionals across the region,” said Hylton.

“We are treating this period as a turning point. The changes underway are designed to strengthen the institution, restore confidence, and ensure that UHWI is better positioned to serve patients, staff, students, and the public for generations to come,” added Hylton.

He pointed out that the hospital’s transformation programme is scheduled to be implemented in phases and will include strengthened governance arrangements, clearer lines of authority, enhanced procurement and financial controls, improved patient and customer service, improved strategic planning, better risk management, stronger internal audit follow-up, and more consistent reporting to the board and relevant stakeholders.

Hylton declared that, even as institutional reforms are being implemented, patient care remains the hospital’s highest priority.

“The hospital will continue to deliver critical clinical services while working to modernise the systems that support safe, efficient, and accountable health-care delivery

“The public and stakeholders can expect further updates as the transformation programme advances and as improvements become visible across the hospital’s operations,” said Hylton.

Eric Hosin, acting chief executive officer at the University Hospital of the West Indies, answering questions during a recent sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee which examined the findings of the Auditor General Department’s performance audit of the hospital.