The Ministry of Health and Medical Services paid a third party $1.6 million for patient scans between August 2021 to July 2022 as they waited for spare parts of scan machines at the CWM Hospital that weren’t working, the Auditor-General has found.

In his 2022 report that was tabled in Parliament recently, the audit found the Biochemistry machine Mindray BS 2000 and BS 800 and Endocrinology machine E 411 at CWM Hospital was not operating from March 2020 and October 2020 respectively.

“Hence referrals for laboratory services were outsourced. From August 2021 to July 2022, the ministry incurred $1,607,751 for various referrals and scans whilst waiting parts for machines,” states the report.

“The proper management of expenditure is fundamental to ensuring value-for-money in delivering services to the community.

“As well, having cost-effective internal controls within the purchasing and payments system plays an important part in ensuring that waste of funds, over-expenditures and corruption do not occur.

The audit found the ministry was liaising with local agents for parts, however, the expected time of arrival of the parts was not confirmed by the suppliers.

“The ministry should escalate its discussions with suppliers for supply and installation of parts and ensure that machines are always fully operational for efficient service delivery. The ministry said there was an urgent need of services which resulted in outsourcing of laboratory services at CWMH since the machines were not working.

“There were considerable delay for the supply of parts (for the machines) from our suppliers.’