The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) has started preliminary investigations into a number of contracts, which were reportedly awarded for the provision of janitorial services in public hospitals.

In a letter addressed to Bruce Golding, in his capacity as Opposition Leader on August 4, a "concerned nurse", said to be working at a public hospital in Kingston, claimed that contracts had been awarded to persons who had strong political connections with the former People's National Party administration.

'I am upset'

The author said in the letter: "Mr. Golding, I am upset with what is taking place in the ministry (Health), to the extent that I get very emotional about it from time to time."

The allegations point to "dishonest decisions pertaining to janitorial/portering service costs that we, the nurses, have discussed in camera".

Checks with the OCG revealed that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Grace Allen Young, had received a copy of the letter and had written to the financial secretary about the matter.

A copy of the letter from the Permanent Secretary was also sent to Contractor General Greg Christie.

A spokesperson at the OCG also pointed out that the Permanent Secretary had submitted a list of contracts to the OCG, and the Contractor General was conducting a probe into the award of these contracts.

President of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica, Edith Allwood-Anderson, yesterday dissociated her association from the contents of the letter.

Dr. Allen Young could not be reached for comment.