http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/29/national/national_30119367.php
'Guilty' of negligence
By Piyanart Srivalo
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on December 29, 2009
Panel recommends that Public Health Minister Witthaya, Deputy Minister Manit should face disciplinary action over purchase orders for overpriced medical equipment and supplies
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai and Deputy Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi should face strong disciplinary measures, due to the ministry's dubious procurement plans worth Bt86 billion, a fact-finding body recommended yesterday.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was informed of the investigation's results during a meeting with panel chairman Dr Banlu Siripanich and leading member Pratin Santiprapop.
Besides Witthaya and Manit, the minister's secretary, Siriwan Prassajaksattru, and adviser, Dr Krissada Manoonwonge, along with other senior health officials were named in the report as being negligent in implementing the ministry's massive procurement plans.
Earlier, the ministry's move to purchase ultraviolet sanitising fans for state hospitals was suspended after it was found the price was inflated sharply to between Bt40,000 and Bt80,000 per unit.
The Banlu panel was then set up to probe the irregularities.
Witthaya said while he was ready to take any responsibility if found at fault, there had not yet been any allegations of corruption in procurement.
Manit said he had yet to discuss the findings with Witthaya but would not tender his resignation as deputy minister at this stage.
Banlu said documentary evidence and witness testimony showed a high probability that politicians and senior officials had been involved in unusual procurement of medical equipment under the Bt86-billion Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package.
"We found they were preparing to execute the dubious and corrupt plans," Banlu said.
He handed over a 4,733-page report to the prime minister that covered bloated prices and other suspicious practices for construction projects, medical devices and ambulances.
For instance, budget allocations for hospital construction were skewed in favour of some politicians' selected constituencies.
Ratchaburi, which already has three provincial hospitals and one major healthcare centre, was cited as an example.
Some procurement plans were unnecessary, due to a lack of doctors or prices that were sharply magnified.
Banlu said loopholes emerged because present and former public-health bureaucrats were lax in supervising the procurement process.
"They were negligent, so the government budget was used inefficiently," he said. The ministry's Bureau of Provincial Health Administration, headed by Dr Suchart Laohabariphat, was overburdened when the massive procurement plans were pushed by the ministry, Banlu added.
Suchart's unit has only 53 staff, but the Bureau of Policy and Strategy, which has 283 staff, was given no direct management responsibility.
Banlu said Witthaya must assume responsibility, because there was intent to abuse the budget.
Manit also allegedly intervened in administering the budget by exerting pressure on bureaucrats to allocate more money to certain provinces, such as Ratchaburi, which he represents as an MP.
He also was incriminated in an agreement to purchase overpriced ambulances.
Siriwan, the minister's secretary, was also found to have been involved in the ambulance procurement.
Banlu said the prime minister should urge his Cabinet members to be honest as far as procurement was concerned and that they should take "political" responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing.
The government is expected to forward the findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.
'Guilty' of negligence
By Piyanart Srivalo
Pongphon Sarnsamak
The Nation
Published on December 29, 2009
Panel recommends that Public Health Minister Witthaya, Deputy Minister Manit should face disciplinary action over purchase orders for overpriced medical equipment and supplies
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai and Deputy Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi should face strong disciplinary measures, due to the ministry's dubious procurement plans worth Bt86 billion, a fact-finding body recommended yesterday.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was informed of the investigation's results during a meeting with panel chairman Dr Banlu Siripanich and leading member Pratin Santiprapop.
Besides Witthaya and Manit, the minister's secretary, Siriwan Prassajaksattru, and adviser, Dr Krissada Manoonwonge, along with other senior health officials were named in the report as being negligent in implementing the ministry's massive procurement plans.
Earlier, the ministry's move to purchase ultraviolet sanitising fans for state hospitals was suspended after it was found the price was inflated sharply to between Bt40,000 and Bt80,000 per unit.
The Banlu panel was then set up to probe the irregularities.
Witthaya said while he was ready to take any responsibility if found at fault, there had not yet been any allegations of corruption in procurement.
Manit said he had yet to discuss the findings with Witthaya but would not tender his resignation as deputy minister at this stage.
Banlu said documentary evidence and witness testimony showed a high probability that politicians and senior officials had been involved in unusual procurement of medical equipment under the Bt86-billion Thai Khemkhaeng stimulus package.
"We found they were preparing to execute the dubious and corrupt plans," Banlu said.
He handed over a 4,733-page report to the prime minister that covered bloated prices and other suspicious practices for construction projects, medical devices and ambulances.
For instance, budget allocations for hospital construction were skewed in favour of some politicians' selected constituencies.
Ratchaburi, which already has three provincial hospitals and one major healthcare centre, was cited as an example.
Some procurement plans were unnecessary, due to a lack of doctors or prices that were sharply magnified.
Banlu said loopholes emerged because present and former public-health bureaucrats were lax in supervising the procurement process.
"They were negligent, so the government budget was used inefficiently," he said. The ministry's Bureau of Provincial Health Administration, headed by Dr Suchart Laohabariphat, was overburdened when the massive procurement plans were pushed by the ministry, Banlu added.
Suchart's unit has only 53 staff, but the Bureau of Policy and Strategy, which has 283 staff, was given no direct management responsibility.
Banlu said Witthaya must assume responsibility, because there was intent to abuse the budget.
Manit also allegedly intervened in administering the budget by exerting pressure on bureaucrats to allocate more money to certain provinces, such as Ratchaburi, which he represents as an MP.
He also was incriminated in an agreement to purchase overpriced ambulances.
Siriwan, the minister's secretary, was also found to have been involved in the ambulance procurement.
Banlu said the prime minister should urge his Cabinet members to be honest as far as procurement was concerned and that they should take "political" responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing.
The government is expected to forward the findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.
