Independent MP points to unclear procurement in healthcare

Independent MP Miroslav Beblavý pointed to overpriced procurement at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases in Bratislava on Thursday. According to him, the state purchased vessel reinforcement pads at three different institutions from one supplier for three different prices. The company Meditrade sold these pads to the Eastern Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases for €2,200 per piece. The price for the central Slovak Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases was at €3,630 while the branch in Bratislava paid €4,400 for each piece, thus overpaying €770,000 in comparison to its fellow hospital in the east. Its management denies the allegations. "The maximum price was €2,200," said the Institute's director Mongi Msolly. According to him, the final quotations and invoices were not published. He added that the Institute will do so in the future in order to avoid such misunderstandings.