Mozambique: Laboratory technician and intermediary arrested for illegal charges at Xai-Xai Provincial Hospital

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Mozambique: Laboratory technician and intermediary arrested for illegal charges at Xai-Xai Provincial Hospital

2:09 CAT | 07 Mar 2025

File photo: O País

A 55-year-old patient who has been battling diabetes for years had to pay an additional 4,500 thousand meticais for laboratory tests at the Xai-Xai Provincial Hospital. A technician and an alleged intermediary are also arrested in connection with the case.

According to SERNIC, the defendants made it difficult to access the tests in order to later charge large amounts.

Mário Simão, a fictitious name, 55 years old, has been fighting a tough battle against gastritis ulcer for 9 years. It turns out that the progression of the disease forced him to be transferred from the Xai-Xai Health Center, where he was undergoing clinical treatment, to the Xai-Xai Provincial Hospital.

During the process, the patient was sent to the provincial laboratory for new tests, however, without success, allegedly due to a lack of chemical reagents. As his clinical condition worsened, he had to pay 4,500 Meticais for the tests. Tis happened between September and March of this year.

A 45-year-old laboratory technician from Xai-Xai Hospital and a 56-year-old woman, an employee of a private clinic, who allegedly served as a bridge between the patient and the technician who is now detained, are being held in connection with the case. The intermediary admits to being the perpetrator of the crime, while the health professional denies involvement in the case.

During the investigation, SERNIC concluded that the detainees are part of an alleged corruption scheme set up at Xai-Xai Hospital, which hinders access to health services.

The hospital authorities confirmed the case, but promise more details in the coming days.

If their involvement in the crime of passive corruption is proven, the defendants face sentences ranging from 1 to 8 years in prison.

Source: O País