THE National Pharmaceutical Company (NatPharm) has issued a
list of local and international shortlisted companies to supply personal
protective equipment (PPEs) as well as detergents, medical and surgical
sundries.
The new shortlist comes after government — through the
Finance ministry — triggered a storm a fortnight ago after awarding Drax
Consult a tender to provide the ministry of Health with PPEs and test kits.
Reasons for termination of the contract were that the PPEs
being supplied by the Switzerland-registered company were overpriced.
The list of PPEs include face masks for general use,
surgical or medical HR masks, disposable caps, disposable gowns in various
sizes, disposable shoe covers and plastic disposable HE aprons.
According to a Government Gazette issued last Friday,
another list of 67 items — which include digital thermometers, hand sanitisers
and biohazard bags — is being procured by the national pharmaceutical company.
“Notice is hereby issued in line with Circular 1 of 2020,
dated 27th March, 2020, issued by the Procurement Regulatory Authority of
Zimbabwe (PRAZ). NatPharm herein referred to as the ‘Procuring Entity operating
under instructions from the ministry of Health and Child Care’ in line with the
Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23] would like
to notify the public of the shortlisted suppliers of detergents, medical and
surgical sundries under Framework Agreement Tender No. NAT ITCB FMWK.01/2020,”
read part of the Gazette notice.
Last month, Drax was accused of inflating prices of PPEs
and some medical consumables it had already brought into the country which were
reportedly valued at nearly US$1 million.
Ministry of Finance permanent secretary George Guvamatanga
said he authorised the release of the consignment of the Covid-19 equipment,
which was being held at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on May 8,
based on the urgent need for test kits in the country.
However, the government would not be paying for them until
the Health ministry and Drax agreed on reasonable prices.
Guvamatanga later instructed ministry of Health’s acting
permanent secretary Gibson Mhlanga to cancel the deal, citing price
distortions.
In a June 5 letter, Mhlanga directed NatPharm managing
director Flora Sifeku to pull the plug on the deal.
“You are directed to cancel all contracts that you had with
Drax SAGL with immediate effect. Please be advised that this process needs to
be completed by latest June 12, 2020 and all documentation showing
cancellation…,” Mhlanga wrote. Daily News
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