Anti-corruption police: Health Ministry purchases of anti-pandemic equipment not ‘overpriced’

The police have postponed an investigation into the purchase of allegedly overpriced personal protective equipment that the Ministry of Health acquired early into the Covid-19 pandemic, during a declared state of emergency.

Among the purchases under review is an order for packages of respirators that now cost a few dozen crowns but which the Ministry bought for 777 crowns apiece. The Supreme Audit Office (SAO) criticized that purchase and others in a March report.

However, the police unit charged with combatting organised crime (NCOZ) said via a spokesperson on Wednesday that investigators’ initial conclusion is that there were no better options at the time.

Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch, responsible for the purchases, welcomed the finding and said it showed opposition politicians had “attacked me and the ministry unjustifiably”.