KP govt launches inquiry into Rs7bn procurement for health dept

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched an inquiry into the procurement of medicines and medical equipment worth over Rs7 billion for the health department during the fiscal year 2023-24.

The investigation has been launched on the instructions of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

KP Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Anti-Corruption, Brig (retd) Mussadiq Abbasi has directed the KP director general health to provide records of the purchases made through the Government Medicine Coordination Cell (MMC) by June 17.

In his letter, Abbasi sought 30 different types of documents related to the procurement process, including the formation of the procurement committee.

These documents will be reviewed by the committee established for the inquiry.

Additionally, Abbasi has written a letter to KP secretary health, highlighting alleged corruption and malpractice within the health department.

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The letter has pointed out the excessive and overpriced procurement of equipment and supplies due to alleged collusion between suppliers and officers.

It suggested initiating e-bidding for future purchases and called for a transparent procurement roadmap to be submitted by June 30.

This inquiry has been started following the transfer of the former DG health, prompting the provincial government to investigate various aspects of the health sector.

Additionally, a 10-member task force headed by the KP chief minister has been established to implement reforms in the health sector.

The task force includes several doctors working abroad, aiming to bring about significant improvements in the health sector.