Gov’t establishes board to probe into procurement irregularities at MoPH

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert was earlier this evening given the Terms of Reference (TORs) by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, to probe into the allegations of unauthorized disclosure of information, mismanagement and malpractices in the procurement of pharmaceuticals at the Ministry of Public Health.

In handing over the TORs, Minister Harmon said Government eagerly awaits that Report and the findings, so that appropriate action can be taken.

The Board of Inquiry (BoI) will commence tomorrow, November 3, 2016 and is expected to render its written report and findings to the Minister of State on or before November 30, 2016. The Inquiry is expected to take place at the Department of Public Service and at any other place, in which the Commissioner deems fit.

The Board is expected to investigate, examine and report on the “procurement and management processes by which the Ministry of Public Health awards contracts for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, services and supplies to bidders.

It is also expected to investigate the procedure which exists to identify and control the unauthorized disclosure of price sensitive information in the procurement of pharmaceuticals and how and when did the Ministry of Public Health become aware of these disclosures and what actions, if any, were taken by the Ministry.

According to the Ministry of the Presidency, after the investigation and findings, recommendations must be made for measures that could strengthen information management systems within the Ministry to improve the handling of protected information and deter any unauthorized disclosures.