IPNEWS: The Ministry of Health, through the Incident Management System-COVID-19 has clarified growing misconceptions regarding purported seventy-one (71K) used to transport the much publicized Madagascan herb to fight COVID-19 at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
According to a release from the Ministry of Health the process that preceded the bringing of the Madagascar herbs into the country purposely for promoting Liberia cure for coronavirus in 2020, was a generous offered by the President of Madagascar president Andry Rajoelina to share with Liberia at with no cost due to earlier request by members countries of the African Union of the Madagascan herb.
The Ministry of Health clarified that the offer by Madagascar did not include shipment or air transportation as being wildly misunderstood.
The MOH release noted that transportation and facilitation of the herb begin the responsibility of the government of Liberia from Madagascar to Liberia.
“Considering this emergency, couple with the responsibility of the Minister of Health to save lives, especially during the height of the second waves chattered a flight that was arranged from Guinea Bissau to bring the herbs from Madagascar to Liberia”.
“The 71 Thousand United States Dollars was paid to cover the cost of the chattered flight.” The MOH release clarifies.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health states that the Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah as head of the Incident Management Systems is cloth with the authority to save lives especially in an emergency situation to which Liberia faced during those periods.
“There was no irregularity, neither was there any financial wrongdoings in the Madagascan herbs arrangement as being misconstrued in some quarters.”
“The ministry maintains that no member of its leadership has been held culpable of any questionable acts, in the management of the Health Sector since the inception of the George Manneh Weah’s government.”
“The Ministry of Health, especially the Incident Management System-IMS, enjoys the confidence of all its partner, including WHO, UNICEF, USAID, CDC-USA, among others.” The released noted.
On yesterday, May 198, 2021, the authoritative Independent Probe has reliably gathered that recent audit conducted by the General Audit Commission on the expenditure of COVID-19 Funds by the Incident Management System, on COVID-19 was incomprehensive.
A member of the Audit team (named withheld), admits officials at the Incident Management System (IMS), National Public Health Institute (NPHIL), and the Ministry of Health (MOH), provided much needed documentary evidence , including supporting documentation on expenditures and wonders how there are discrepancies reported in the Audit report.
At today’s full public hearings on Capitol Hill, under the auspices of the joint Public Accounts Committee, of the Liberian Legislature, focused on the Incident Management System (IMS) GAC, PPCC and other institutions.
The hearings presided over by Margibi Senator, Emmanuel Nuquay along with other ranking members of the Senate and House of Representatives, deliberated on recent General Auditing Commission and NPHIL faced-off forensic audit conducted 2016/2017 & 2017/2018.
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) represented by its Comptroller, Fidel Wiah provided much needed clarity concerning the incomprehensive audit to members of the Legislature contrary to reports in the public that monies are unaccounted for during the periods the COVID-19 response.
