UHWI has tax-exempt status — meaning they normally don’t pay taxes, just like most public hospitals worldwide.
BUT here’s where it went wrong:
They used their tax-exempt status to import goods for private companies — meaning private businesses used the hospital’s exemption to avoid paying customs/import taxes on their own products.
When authorities found out, they said “UHWI, you’re responsible for those unpaid taxes” — because it was the hospital’s exemption that was used.
So basically:
- Private companies got free tax breaks they weren’t entitled to
- UHWI allowed it to happen
- Now UHWI is stuck with the bill
- That bill has grown over several years to over $40 billion with interest and penalties
Why it’s frustrating:
- This is a PUBLIC hospital that serves everyday Jamaicans
- The money owed should have been going toward patient care
- Private companies benefited while the hospital and taxpayers are left to foot the bill
- Nobody at the top has been able to explain WHY it was even allowed to happen
