The audit conducted on Ministry of Health for the year 2017 has revealed irregularities in the contracts awarded for the renovation of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in 2017.
The report published by the Auditor General’s Office revealed the Health Ministry had failed to comply with the Public Finance Regulations in carrying out some its projects and services in 2017. In this regard, the report particularly highlighted irregularities in the contracts awarded for the renovation of IGMH.
The audit report revealed the project to construct a public toilet block in IGMH had been contracted for over USD 300,000 without submitting the proposal to the National Tender Board. The report also revealed the construction of an X-ray room in IGMH had been contracted for over USD 250,000 to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s welfare company SIWEC, without submitting the proposal to National Tender Board or even announcing the project for tender. It also revealed the contractor was issued more than USD 20,000 in excess of the maximum permissible advanced payment.
Further, the report also stated there was no Request For Proposal (RFP) issued prior to seeking radiologists for IGMH, and no agreement was signed for the service. The report also revealed the health ministry had disbursed a large amount of funds to individuals seeking medical treatment abroad, without confirming if the individuals are in need of financial assistance to seek treatment.