CIP questions direct adjustments in Mozambique’s health sector: EUR 2.3 million in 2017

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CIP questions direct adjustments in Mozambique’s health sector: EUR 2.3 million in 2017

11:00 CAT | 21 Sep 2017

Ministério-da-Saúde-de-Moçambique-Maputo.misau

MISAU headqurters in Maputo (File photo). Public procurement for the purchase of medicines, medical-surgical supplies and public works contracts has been one of the most problematic areas, says CIP

A study by the Mozambican Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) says the Mozambican government is making an “abusive and recurrent use of direct adjustments” for health sector purchases.

“The abusive and recurrent use of direct adjustments during the first months of 2017 by the Ministry of Health (MISAU) may be a symptom of a poor planning system” or “the existence of collusion between certain providers and senior civil servants,” the document cited by Lusa reads.

According to CIP figures, direct adjustments made this year amounted to EUR 2.3 million and the companies chosen to provide the goods or services “are always the same”.

“In cases where there is some turnover, there is only a change of the name of the company, because the shareholder structure remains the same or presents the entry of a new member,” the same source adds.

“The option for direct adjustment occurs whenever the funds that finance the purchases are coming from the State Budget,” the CIP says.

The document distributed yesterday, which CIP says is the first on the subject, highlights the fact that health is one of the “most important and sensitive vectors of governance and, consequently, one of those who receive the most both from the state and international partners”.

These characteristics do not however elicit a corresponding degree of transparency in the management of funds.

“The management of these funds has not been transparent. Public procurement for the purchase of medicines, medical-surgical supplies and public works contracts has been one of the most problematic areas,” the CIP report concludes.

Source: Lusa