Suspended deputy health minister responds to corruption allegations, denies any wrongdoing

Suspended Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Health and the Chair of its financial executive bid committee, Nishama Mohamed has denied any wrongdoing in the procurement of ventilators from an overseas company.

While a compliance report by the Auditor General’s Office has revealed possible corruption in procuring 75 ventilators from Dubai-based Executors General Trading, Nishama on Thursday issued a statement over the matter.

Noting that there have been false reports regarding this, she denied using her position to provide undue benefit to a certain party or individual.

Instead, Nishama said that she had acted in the country’s best interest.

She further said that the contract was awarded to Executors General Trading under the “single source procurement procedures” of the Public Finance Act.

While the ministry’s financial executive bid committee had made the decision after reviewing documents submitted by Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, who is to have told them the company was recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s country representative Dr. Arvind Mathur, Nishama said that they had conducted the required work prior to making the decision including speaking with officials from the WHO country office.

Further highlighting that the decision was made after approval from the Ministry of Finance, the suspended deputy minister said that their decision was based on the urgent need for ventilators given the country’s situation.

Noting that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had been investigating this prior, Nishama claimed that some individuals are working to influence the ongoing investigation.

While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih suspended members of the bid committee shortly after the compliance report was released, Nishama said that there is no point in just probing their actions and called to investigate all involved from every level.

Nishama concluded the statement by attempting to ensure the public that she had worked sincerely, as the head of the health ministry’s bid committee, and that all their decisions were based on the documents provided.

The deputy minister also noted her intention to cooperate with authorities in the investigation.

The Auditor General’s Office released its compliance audit report on the health ministry's Covid-19 related expenditure, on Sunday.

While senior officials including the health minister had previously said that Executors General Trading was endorsed by WHO, the compliance report notes that WHO officials had denied this. The report also revealed that Executors General Trading was contracted to procure the ventilators at “a higher price than other suppliers.”

Following the issue, Health Minister Ameen decided to step aside from duties until the investigation is complete, or the president informs him of a decision. Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Mohamed Aslam has been appointed as the acting health minister.