Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen has decided to step aside from his responsibilities as minister until the end of the investigation on the findings of the COVID-19 compliance audit conducted on the health ministry.
The health minister submitted a letter to the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on August 17, announcing his decision to step aside from his responsibilities as health minister. In the letter, the minister said he is stepping aside until the end of the investigation on the COVID-19 audit report or until a specific instruction is given by the president.
Health Minister Ameen has come under fire after the Auditor General’s Office found several significant irregularities in the procurement of health equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, the audit report revealed the Dubai-based Executors General Trading was paid 90% of the quoted price in advance to procure 75 ventilators in April, whilst no ventilators have been procured despite four months having passed since signing the contract. The report also highlighted several other violations and irregularities in assessing bids and awarding contracts to supply ventilators to the Maldives.
The President’s Office has stated the government will be taking the necessary actions in relation to the findings of the report. Meanwhile, the Parliament of the Maldives has also launched an inquiry into the matter.