Moroccan Watchdog Slams Covid-19 Health Sector Procurement Irregularities

At the forefront of Transparency Maroc’s denunciations is the non-compliance with Law No. 84-12 of August 30, 2013, the existence of concerted contracts with companies not registered with the department, as well as the acquisitions of highly sensitive supplies not registered and/or registered in the name of other companies. The NGO deplores a kind of "favoritism" that has taken over the management of the markets.

Transparency also denounces unfair competition and the promotion and use of sensitive equipment whose effectiveness has not been proven by a technical committee and without prior control. "A major gap has been observed in the import licenses for respiratory devices and high-flow oxygen devices, while less expensive alternative solutions exist," the organization also laments.

Among the markets targeted by Transparency’s denunciations is the one for serological tests worth 213.9 million DH. "While this test is sold for nearly 40 DH per unit in France, the ministry has allowed itself to buy it at 99 DH, i.e. an overcharge of 59 DH despite expiration dates not exceeding 3 months," according to Transparency’s findings.

On another level, the NGO questions the recent withdrawal of pharmacies from saliva tests. It proposes to the ministry to make even more efforts to alleviate the pressure on public hospitals and to relieve Moroccans who spend more than necessary to seek care in case of infection.