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Denver- In what has been labelled a “government scandal,” a new parliamentary report details alleged misallocation of “billions of dirhams” worth of COVID relief funds by the Moroccan Ministry of Health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The allegations, published on July 15, which were reported by the Parliamentary Expeditionary Committee, claim that the Health Ministry allocated large amounts of funding for combatting COVID to “unlicensed” companies in the region. According to details of the report, the government negotiated deals with “45 companies that do not have proof of their registration” as legitimate government approved entities.
While the motivation behind dealing with unregistered companies was not specified, the report emphasized that these were illegal contracts, and posed a “high risk” for the safety of Moroccans seeking medical care.
The accused companies’ failure to register violates article 7 of the Moroccan law outlining the regulation of medical supplies. While these 45 companies were given funding during the pandemic “dozens of companies legally registered with the Ministry of Health were denied access to public order,” according to the report.
Moroccan Health Minister Khalid Ait Taleb refused to testify before parliament in regards to the matter, according to sources close to the situation. Investigators allege ministry officials previously “admitted” to the employment of these unauthorized companies during a June 7th meeting between investigators and government officials.
The shocking revelation continues to spark concern amongst Moroccans as to the handling of government funds in the midst of a global pandemic. Many have also criticized the failures of the Ministry to properly address this issue, which will potentially put healthcare workers and patients at risk of utilizing equipment and medication that does not meet nationally regulated standards.
