— Region Two RDC launches investigation

THE newly-formed Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be launching an investigation into the supply of drugs and medical supplies, amounting to $111.58M, that was made under the previous Government but was never delivered.

This issue was given priority at the first RDC statutory meeting on Wednesday.

According to the RDC Chairwoman, Vilma De Silva, the Council’s Health Committee will be looking into the malpractices and discrepancies highlighted in a report from the Office of the Auditor-General.

The Regional Health Committee is chaired by PPP/C Councillor, Arnold Adams. Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh, who sits on the committee, will now be tasked with reviewing all the drugs that were supplied to the region within the period that was given in the audit report and reveal such findings to the committee.

Meanwhile, according to the clerk of the RDC, Devanand Ramdatt, the sum of $228.705 M was budgeted for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies under health services programme-line item 6221 and from that total, only $18.525M was supplied.

He also explained that an Inter-Departmental Warrant for $210.180M was issued to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) for procurement of drugs and medical supplies on the region’s behalf. The warrant was issued on January 21, 2019.

According to Ramdatt, a financial return was received indicating that the entire amount was expended. However, a statement of reconciliation was received from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) in August 2020, which reflected the cost of the deliveries of $98.6M with a balance totalling $111.58M.

Ramdatt said the regional administration is therefore seeking, from the Ministry of Health, a Statement of Reconciliation for the balance totaling $111.580M.

He said the investigations will also flagged the weaknesses as well as provide a comprehensive report that will serve as a guide to prevent such an incident from reoccurring. The committee that is set up to look into the anomaly includes members from both the Government and Opposition.