The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure : Senior Reporter
A PROCUREMENT scandal has rocked Rusape General Hospital leading to the suspension of six key members of the tender committee to pave way for full-scale investigations, backdating to 2012, The Manica Post can reveal.
Auditors descended at the hospital a fortnight ago and have unearthed multi-faceted fraudulent practices in the awarding of tenders and procurement of drugs, utensils, equipment and other services, raising alarm that patients in need of critical healthcare were being short changed.
The first to be suspended was the accountant, Mr Steven Munyuki, who was suspended last week.
On Monday, the District Medical Officer, Dr Tendai Nyafesa suspended Mr Munashe Ngwaru ( District Health Services Administrator), his assistant, Mr Luke Dandama, Mr Celani Nyoni (Pharmacist), Mr William Dhliwayo (Environmental Health Officer) and Mr Paul Chikaonda (Supervisor) pending investigations.
The six, who were some members of a technical committee, allegedly connived to give contracts to brief case companies, raise double vouchers, purchase inflated inferior equipment and frustrate reputable suppliers by demanding unreasonable kick-backs, among other transgressions suspected to have bled the institution thousands of dollars.
Rusape General Hospital received $2.4 million under the Targeted Approach Programme in 2012, and so strong are suspicions that the facility was grossly abused.
The $2.4 million facility was meant to facelift the infrastructure, acquire critical equipment, utensils and drugs. The TAP was funded by Government through the Ministry of Finance, and it is alleged that there is a glaring mismatch between the money spent and the quality and value of the purchases made, works done, raising fear that the other chunk could have find its way into the pockets of individuals.
Provincial Medical Director, Dr Patron Mafaune, could not be contacted for comment as she was said to be attending a meeting in Harare.
Dr Mafaune’s mobile phone was switched off.
She allegedly visited Rusape General Hospital last week and expressed “disappointment” because at one point she had wanted to transfer two key suspended officials, Mr Ngwaru and Munyuki, but failed.
The acting Provincial Health Services Administrator, one Mr Tsangamidzi was also at the hospital this week and was advised that laid down procedures, rules and regulations were violated in awarding the tenders, raising requisitions, procurement of goods and items. It has also emerged that an undisclosed amount of withdrawn from the bank to pay debtors was converted to personal use.
The hospital is now tracing and interviewing representatives of relevant organisations to establish its debt position and scrutinising the suppliers’ list to establish brief-case entities.
Ministry of Health public relations official, Mr Donald Mujiri, could neither confirm nor deny the rot at Rusape General Hospital.
Mr Mujiri said he wanted to be briefed on the suspensions by Dr Mafaune first.
“The ideal person to give you that information is the PMD, Dr Mafaune because Rusape General Hospital falls under her purview. At the moment she is attending a meeting here in Harare, and we will get back to you after establishing the facts from her,” said Mr Majiri.
