Health Minister Refutes ‘Incorrect’ Opposition Funeral Home Assertions

‘Incorrect and unfair.’

That’s how health minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, is describing assertions made by Opposition Spokesperson, Dr. Alfred Dawes who has called into the question the ministry’s process for awarding contracts in relation to Archer’s Funeral Home.

The funeral home, owned by Michael Archer, a JLP councillor, has been awarded a contract to store bodies from the Kingston Public Hospital, KPH.

Nora-Gaye Banton reports.

On Tuesday, Dr. Dawes claimed that storage arrangements at KPH, previously managed by Jones’ Funeral Home on North Street, were redirected to Mr. Archer’s funeral home. 

He also said that the storage contracts with two St. Catherine-based funeral homes, Robert’s and Morgan’s, had been terminated, and operations consolidated under Archer’s. 

But Minister Tufton says the process of awarding the contract was subject to the requisite public procurement rules.

Minister Tufton says he’s unaware that any contracts have been rescinded. He says an advertisement was placed for bids and the process was followed thereafter.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dawes also claims that the storage facility at the University Hospital of the West Indies was reportedly also transitioned to Archer’s.

Dr. Tufton says a memo from the hospital’s CEO says that arrangement was ordered by the police.

According to Dr. Dawes, the rapid rise of Archer’s, just five years after its incorporation at the Companies Office of Jamaica, has sparked concern among industry stakeholders.

But, Minister Tufton has labelled the assertion as unfair, noting there was no special treatment in the awarding of contracts.

Meanwhile, Minister Tufton says the politicising of the contract award is an attempt to undermine Mr. Archer.

Dr. Dawes in his statement described Mr. Archer as no ordinary councillor.

Labelling the process as opportunism, he claimed that the councillor was handpicked by Minister Tufton to replace another sitting JLP councillor amid much uproar in the constituency.

And, Minister Tufton is rubbishing claims on social media that he too owns a funeral home.

Dr. Christopher Tufton, Health Minister, speaking on Nationwide This Morning on Thursday.