The National Health Fund (NHF), in partnership with the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), hosted Jamaica’s first-ever Meet-the-Buyer Symposium on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites. The event brought key persons from the NHF and PPC together with NHF suppliers contracted for goods, works, consulting services and non-consulting services to strengthen their partnerships, promote understanding of procurement requirements and open new opportunities.
In his welcome address, NHF Chief Executive Officer, Everton Anderson, underscored the value of strong supplier relationships in delivering quality healthcare to Jamaicans. “Our suppliers have been partners and have stuck with us through good and bad times,” he said. “We appreciate that and we are hoping to build on these relationships, so that they can work for you while working for us.” Anderson noted that the NHF’s significant annual investment in pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and related services represents a major opportunity for local businesses to contribute to the nation’s health sector.
Executive Director of the PPC, Nadia Morris, reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to making the procurement process more efficient, transparent and supportive of capable local contractors. She also highlighted ongoing initiatives to ensure fairness and accountability across government projects.
Chief Public Procurement Policy Officer in the Office of Public Procurement Policy, JovellBarrett, praised the collaboration between the NHF and PPC, noting that it aligns with the Government of Jamaica’s broader reforms to modernise and simplify public procurement. “The Government of Jamaica has embarked upon reforming the process, which includes the passage of a number of key pieces of legislation this year,” he said. “This is only a part of the reform to come.”
The symposium featured interactive workshops that encouraged open dialogue between the NHF, PPC and the business sector. Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences, gain practical insights and better understand how to navigate in the current procurement environment. They were also introduced to the recent legislative changes impacting procurement, the Contractor and Consultant Performance Evaluation Programme (CCPEP) and the Data Visualisation and Business Intelligence platform used to analyse and display suppliers’ ratings.
The Meet-the-Buyer Symposium marks an important milestone in enhancing how the public sector engages with local suppliers. By fostering trust and building capacity, the NHF and PPC are helping to create a more inclusive, transparent and efficient procurement environment that ultimately strengthens Jamaica’s healthcare delivery system and supports growth in the local business community.
From left to right: Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Fund, Everton Anderson; Executive Director of the Public Procurement Commission, Nadia Morris; Senior Director, Contractor Performance Monitoring Branch, PPC Shauna-Kay Rowe; and Senior Director for Purchasing & Imports, Ivor Corrie at the at the Meet-the-Buyer Symposium on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the Courtleigh Hotel and Suites.
