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Reuters
Kuwaiti Minister of Health Sheikh Basil Al-Sabah referred officials in the ministry to the Public Prosecution, for investigation on suspicion of wasting public funds estimated at millions.
The newspaper quoted official sources as saying that “the referral came amid confusion in the ministry, due to emergency contracts signed by the Ministry of Health with 19 companies to supply urgent medical supplies during the Corona crisis.”
The sources indicated that “the Audit Bureau has recorded notes regarding these contracts under Article 52 of the financial violation of the provisions of Law No. 30 of 1964, as the Bureau considers that these contracts are tainted by violations.”
The sources pointed out that the Ministry of Health complained about the audit bureau’s observations regarding contracts, since “there are 11 non-violating contracts that took place according to sound legal frameworks, and according to fair international prices during the crisis.”
She added that “the 11 companies have official papers and supply permits from the ministry, and the books to start importing the goods subject to the contract signed by the ministry officials, and most of them have delivered large quantities to the Ministry of Health and with an official signature to receive these goods, but to this day they have not received their dues.”
The sources revealed that officials in the ministry tried to push these companies to take their rights through the judiciary, in order to lift political embarrassment, as, “If the affected contractors resort to the judiciary and win lawsuits, this means that the cost to public money will double.”
In recent years, the health sector in Kuwait has witnessed major financial violations, most of which are related to the expenses of treating citizens abroad, wasting public funds and tampering with construction tenders and contracts, in addition to financial and administrative violations, according to official reports.
Source: “Al Qabas”
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