A task team appointed by the National Unity Government (NUG) to probe allegations of corruption in the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has reportedly stated the ministry is guilty of maladministration and corruption. 

Documents seen by TOLOnews cites that the team was appointed on July 25 last year to assess contracts signed by the ministry in the three years prior to that. 

Two months ago, the team sent its finding to President Ashraf Ghani but as yet no steps have been taken against the ministry. 

The 18-page report states that a number of contracts were granted without the minister’s approval, that there appeared to be a procurement monopolization by some contracts and the administration department, and that there was a lack of transparent accountability along with other issues. 

“A number of contracts were given to specific NGOs and companies. Also there were contracts in violation of procurement law,” said Ghulam Hussain Fakhri, head of the investigative team.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Nasir Timori, a member of Integrity Watch Afghanistan said: “Government lacks a good strategy to clear government institutions of corruption. Thus, a big number of investigation reports remain on file and have not been assessed.”  

But the MoPH said the team had no evidence to prove its findings. 

“They do not have any evidence that could prove a number of contracts were given to specific NGOs. If they have proved that, government would have taken action,” said Ferozuddin Feroz, the Minister of Public Health. 

Another issue the investigative team had was with the number of advisors employed by the MoPH. However, the ministry has stated that the advisors work in different departments to resolve problems in the relevant fields.

The minister said when he was appointed there were “400 to 450 advisors at the MoPH. From the time I was appointed, no more than three advisors have been appointed to the ministry.” 

Fakhri said however the team’s investigation has not been finalized and further investigations are needed to uncover details around the issue of corruption.