Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has revealed Maldives Police Service (MPS) is investigating the findings of the COVID-19 compliance audit conducted on Ministry of Health.
The compliance audit conducted on the COVID-19 expenditure of the health ministry revealed significant irregularities in the procurement of ventilators to the Maldives. In this regard, the 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 audit report also revealed the company was selected without assessing its financial and technical capabilities, in addition to not obtaining advance payment and performance guarantees.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed said police plays a major role in investigating the findings of the COVID-19 compliance audit. Although no further details were revealed, the commissioner said the case is a joint investigation of several authorities.
Following the report, Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen decided to step aside from his responsibilities as minister until the end of the investigation. Responsibility of running the health ministry has been handed over to Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam.