Laboratory consultant Dr Arveen Chandra told the High Court in Suva yesterday that his involvement with the Ministry of Health was limited to providing technical advice, and played no role in the ministry’s tender decision-making process.
Dr Chandra is the prosecution’s 13th witness in the trial of former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former health minister Dr Neil Sharma.
He said he had known Dr Sharma for many years through professional interactions and would occasionally provide technical advice on laboratory-related matters.
During examination-in-chief, the prosecution presented a series of emails from 2011 between Dr Chandra, Dr Sharma and Vasu Devan, the owner of Hospital Engineering and Consultancy Ltd, also known as Hospineer, as well as others connected to laboratory equipment discussions and Tender CTN 66/2011, relating to the purchase of rural laboratory equipment.
Dr Chandra told the court that he knew Mr Devan professionally as a biomedical engineer and would communicate with him regarding medical equipment and laboratory machines.
He said in 2011 he was engaged by the MoH as a consultant to assess rural and sub-divisional laboratories throughout Fiji.
When questioned by the prosecution on why he remained involved in discussions after his consultancy had ended, Dr Chandra said he was not involved in any procurement decision and his role was limited to providing technical advice when requested.
In this case the State alleges Dr Sharma failed to comply with statutory requirements for tenders stipulated under the Procurement Regulations 2010 for MoH CTN 66/2011 in favour of Hospineer. This tender was allegedly approved by Mr Bainimarama.
Referring to his February 2011 report, Dr Chandra said one of his principal findings was that all divisional laboratories required equipment upgrades.
He told the court many laboratories were operating refurbished analysers that were, on average, nine years old and had previously been used overseas before being supplied to Fiji.
He said the report reflected concerns raised by laboratory personnel at the time and was intended to assist the ministry in improving laboratory services and equipment management across Fiji.
The trial continues today before Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
