By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) said yesterday that there was no policy of exclusion for Bahamian medical equipment and pharmaceutical suppliers over the ongoing Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) expansion, adding that it would “rigorously avoid” exclusive arrangements or some firms gaining an unfair advantage.

The PHA’s commnets followed a recent Tribune Business report highlighting concerns over Bahamian companies being cut out of the supply chain in bidding for contracts.

The PHA said in a statement yesterday: “The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) wishes to state for the record that there is no policy of exclusion of Bahamians with reference to the ongoing expansion works at Princess Margaret Hospital or any other PHA institution.

“It is important to note that the single largest contract in public health infrastructure since the construction of the Princess Margaret Hospital in 1953 was awarded to a company that is fully Bahamian-owned, Cavalier Construction. Principal architectural and consultant firms for this project are also fully Bahamian-owned. Further, Cavalier Construction has employed in excess of 400 Bahamians on the worksite, and of that number, more than 170 have been permanently employed to date. This achievement is made more significant for the PHA and the Bahamian construction industry given the specialisation of skills necessary in the construction phase of the project.”

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employer’s Confederation (BCCEC) chief executive, Winston Rolle, revealed to Tribune Business earlier this week that during a recent meeting with the PHA and 20 Bahamian medical and pharmaceutical suppliers, concerns were raised around instructions allegedly given to the PMH expansion’s procurement manager, GBA Equipment Consultants, to cut Bahamian distributors out of the supply chain and instead deal directly with the manufacturers who supply them.

This had been communicated to the Bahamian wholesalers by their manufacturers, but PHA Chairman Frank Smith informed them at the meeting that he was “not aware” of this policy and promised to discuss the matter with his Board and get back to the suppliers.

The head of one Bahamian medical and pharmaceutical equipment supply company, speaking under the condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business: “We spoke with the chairman of the board and he has given us some assurance that he would look into this and that we will have a further meeting.

“We are just trying to clarify the information so we can understand what is the case. They are our biggest partners and we don’t want to start a fight if there is no need. We are waiting for our second meeting with the chairman, at which time he will outline what the Government’s policy is. He had agreed to do his investigation and come back to us within two weeks.”

The head of another supply company told this newspaper: “We need to hear from the PHA. Until we hear from them, I don’t know what to say on the matter. The only thing I can say is that we are waiting to hear back from the PHA.”

With regards to Bahamian distributors of medical and pharmaceutical equipment, the PHA said: “While we seek an inclusive, fair and transparent process, we are cognisant that taxpayers are entitled to the best value possible for tax dollars with respect to this substantial investment.

“In this regard, we encourage participation by all Bahamian suppliers who feel that they may be in a position to provide more competitive prices and value for money to the Authority.

“What the Public Hospitals Authority will rigorously avoid, as we complete this transparent process, is a few suppliers seeking to obtain an unfair advantage or some exclusive arrangement. All Bahamians must enjoy the same opportunities.”