Ministry of Health funded a heath care centre’s reconstruction; three quarters of the building are rented for housing
PRESS RELEASE on Audit No. 13/13 – March 31, 2014
The Supreme Audit Office scrutinized funds provided by the Ministry of Health for reconstructions of local health care centres under the programme “Material and technical development of regional health care” in the period 2009–2012. The Programme intended to support health care facilities, which were founded by municipal and regional councils, to provide better care and improve their equipment. Auditors scrutinized the Ministry of Health that had administered the Programme as well as some beneficiaries.
During the audited period, the Ministry of Health provided support to 51 projects worth CZK 790.4 million in total. Auditors selected 22 projects worth CZK 515.8 million. Shortcomings in the amount of CZK 68.6 million were revealed in 10 projects.
The Ministry of Health violated the Programme’s conditions when provided more than CZK 24 million for reconstruction of five health care facilities, which were owned but not founded by municipal and regional councils and churches. For example, the Ministry provided CZK 2.5 million to the town of Bouzov for thermal insulation, new windows, and new entrance door of the local health centre, but only one third of the building serves as a health care centre, the rest is used for housing. The Ministry also provided support in the amount of CZK 10 million to the municipal council of Prague 11 for thermal insulation of a building that could be used in more ways aside from health care. The Ministry later agreed that the building was used as a local kindergarten.
According to the Programme’s regulations, the funds were to be utilised to ensure the most needed equipment for timely diagnoses and proper subsequent medical performances. In spite of the above mentioned condition, the Ministry provided almost CZK 1.7 million to Jablonec nad Nisou Hospital, which used the funds to purchase out-door lighting appliances and nine security on-line cameras that are placed in the hospital premises. With two other projects, the Ministry exceed the 80 % limit of financial participation.
The municipality of Hořice was granted CZK 2 million for replacements of the windows in a multi-functional building, out of which only one third was also used by medical providers. During the at-situ inspection, auditors revealed that only the outside parts of the windows were replaced, but the inside parts were reconditioned, which was not pre-specified in the project’s documentation. Thus, the provided funds were used ineligibly.
Communication Department
Supreme Audit Office