The Foundation For The The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACAS) has conveyed to the relevant criminal prosecution authorities concerns regarding the manner in which public funds allocated for the procurement of vaccines against the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19) were managed. The latest information indicates that the Romanian state has spent in excess of one billion euros on the purchase of 36,833,730 doses of vaccine, approximately one-third of which have expired. Furthermore, the Romanian state has also incurred costs associated with the destruction of these doses.
In the criminal case registered at DNA, in which one individual has been prosecuted for the manner in which doses of anti-Covid-19 vaccines were purchased, prosecutors have yet to ascertain the total amount of damages and the list of culpable parties.
Figures show financial disaster
In an official response received by FACIAS, the Ministry of Health confirmed that Romania has purchased vaccines against coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, under contracts with a total value exceeding €1 billion. Thus far, the Romanian state has disbursed approximately €500 million for these vaccines, with an outstanding liability of €600 million. Despite this considerable expenditure, 14,164,564 doses – representing over a third of the total purchased – have lapsed, resulting in significant financial losses that are irrecoverable.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health informed FACIAS that Romania had donated and subsequently sold 5,691,830 doses to other countries at the original purchase price. Furthermore, the government attempted to renegotiate certain contracts with manufacturers, relinquishing millions of doses. However, these endeavours proved insufficient to avert the accumulation of unused and expired stocks. Presently, although Romania still bears considerable financial obligations associated with the contracts it has entered into, it no longer possesses any doses of the COVD-19 vaccine and has no intention of procuring additional supplies.
A waste instead of a regional hospital
The amount wasted on expired doses is more than 400 million euros, which could have contributed, for example, to the construction of a regional hospital. In 2020, the value of a modern regional hospital was estimated at EUR 550 million, and today, instead of having a medical facility that meets citizens' needs, we have a considerable debt, accumulated due to erroneous and irresponsible decisions.
It is imperative that the relevant state authorities investigate the utilisation of these funds and hold those responsible for the disproportionate procurement strategy to account. Those involved in the mismanagement and in decisions which have adversely affected the interests of Romanians must be held both criminally and financially accountable.
