Urgent N$1b health tender blocked

Committee says bypassing could expose process to abuse

The health ministry’s procurement committee has blocked senior ministerial officials’ proposal to buy medicine worth N$1 billion without a public tender, warning that the urgent tender process could be abused.

This decision points to a potential stand-off inside the Ministry of Health and Social Services, with one camp pushing for a fast emergency deal and the other holding out for stricter controls to protect public money.

The N$1-billion tender is meant to address medicine shortages at public hospitals and clinics across the country.

In a letter dated 8 June, health ministry bosses approved the N$1-billion emergency procurement of pharmaceutical products, saying stock levels at the Central Medical Stores have reached zero for some products.

Internal documents show the ministry’s management, led by executive director of health and social services Penda Ithindi, had wanted to fast-track the purchase through what is known as ‘emergency procurement’, a process allowing the government to buy goods quickly when needed.

‘HIGH RISK’