Nazaha detects misuse of funds in Al-Majmah

RIYADH: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) has discovered another case of corruption involving SR1.1 million of public funds meant for a hospital in Al-Majmah in the Riyadh region.
Nazaha spokesman Abdul Rahman Al-Ajlan said that the Ministry of Health had brought the irregularity to the attention of the anti-graft body. He said the amount was meant to purchase medical equipment for King Khaled Hospital in Al-Majmah. The equipment was never delivered despite the signing of a receipt, installation, operation and training by the previous hospital management.
He said the equipment had been procured by direct purchase and the amount had been paid to the institutions authorized to make the purchase. This was, however, done without calling for three quotations. The matter has been brought to the attention of the head of Health Affairs in Riyadh.
According to Al-Ajlan, the Ministry of Health did cooperate in the formation of a committee for an initial investigation. He said that Nazaha had commissioned a representative to meet with officials and evaluate the relevant documents to show administrative misuse of public money and fraud.
“The case was referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, based on the terms of reference of the commission contained in Article II of the regulation,” the spokesman said.
Earlier this month, Nazaha discovered SR1.366 million in a suspicious deal involving the King Saud Medical City in Riyadh.