The Committee appointed to examine the operations of the University Hospital of the West Indies, UHWI has recommended that an independent third party should be engaged to support enhanced board oversight.

The UHWI Institutional Review Committee was appointed after the hospital was flagged by the Auditor General for the alleged misuse of its tax exemption status to facilitate the importation of goods on behalf of private companies.

The alleged breach contributed to losses of over $20 million.

Enhanced board oversight is one of five recommendations presented by Review Committee Chair Howard Mitchell at a press conference today.

He said the third party should provide support for at least one year.

He said the entity would be expected to support the UHWI board in its organisational change, modernisation of its processes and in its compliance improvements.

Two other recommendations relate to amendments to the UHWI Act and strengthening strategic management.

The other recommendations address improvement in financial governance and resources, as well as improving UWI and Government oversight.