By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Dec.19: Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal said on Friday that the government had focused on quick COVID-19 response as the situation was serious after the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
Responding to the queries of the lawmakers at the Public Account Committee (PAC) meeting today, Minister Dhakal said that COVID-19 pandemic was unpredictable and the situation was uneasy for the countries across the globe, including Nepal.The committee had scheduled a meeting to discuss the health materials purchase procurement, which had been dragged into controversy.
"Not only for us but also for all developed countries it was difficult to tackle immediate health risks at that time,” Minister Dhakal said recalling the chaotic situation when the government had procured the first lot of health materials.
Welcoming the comments of the lawmakers, Minister Dhakal said that the comments made by the lawmakers encouraged him for better performance.
The lawmakers had asked questions about the price variation of N95 masks, gloves and other equipment imported from China.
Lawmaker Rajendra KC asked him why there was price variation in the same products at the same time. “Then the price of a piece of mask was Rs. 15, Rs. 20 and Rs. 24, why the cost had differed from one source to another, it was because the government could not estimate the price of the products or there was a foul play on the procurement,” he said.
Responding to the question, Minister Dhakal said that he was unaware about the matter. “I had made my honest efforts at the crisis time, I know it. But I was not involved in the financial and other matters,” he said.
Minister Dhakal said that seriousness of the time had forced them for instant respond to pandemic and the government worked immediately. “The materials brought in the initial days of the outbreak of the virus played vital roles in COVID-19 response,” he added.
He also said that he was not involved on the purchase procurement but the Director General of the Health Department had taken decisions to purchase the materials.
“I am ready to face punishment if evidences prove my involvement in the foul play on health materials purchase procurement,” he clarified.
Health Minister Dhakal also said that the prices and methods they applied to purchases the goods were genuine and appropriate at that point of time. “Debating on free time is something different from how we work during crisis,” he said.
Most of the lawmakers in the committee blamed that the purchase procurement was unethical. However, Minister Dhakal did not accept the blame and said that the government had not paid a single penny to OmniGroup for the product which was why nothing unethical had happened in the health materials purchase procurement.
Former Minister Dr. Minendra Rijal, lawmakers Pradeep Yadav, Meena Subba and others asked questions to the minister about health materials purchase procurement.